The Daily Guardian | Western Visayas' Most Read and Respected

WITH THE death toll of the bloody war on drugs rising, police are challenged to respect the rule of law and observe due process in their operations. (Ricky D. Alejo)
ALEX SONCIO (left), lead organizer of Miss Iloilo Dinagyang, and Ms Regine Sarabia Espinosa signed the agreement on the official partnership between the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. and Sarabia Jewelry, Aug. 21, 2017 at Farm-to-Table Restaurant in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. (Ricky D. Alejo)
AGREEMENT The Iloilo provincial government has made official its intention to donate a property in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo as the future site of the regional offices of the Department of Health and PhilHealth. The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement and Conditional Deed of Donation on Aug. 18, 2017 was attended by (from left, sitting) Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, PhilHealth VI regional vice president Lourdes Diocson, Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial, DOH VI regional director Marlyn Convocar, and PhilHealth Asst. Vice President for Visayas Dr. Leo Douglas Cardona Jr. (Ricky D. Alejo)
OFFICERS of the Philippine Constable Association, Inc. lead by president Angel "Boy" C Sales take their oath of office before the PNP Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa (left) at PRO-6 during the 116th Police Service Day Celebration on Aug 14, 2017. (Ricky D. Alejo)
THE body of PO1 Federico Nicolas (left photo) is sprawled on the road while PO1 Wilmer Bansag (right) is attended to by rescuers after they were allegedly waylaid by masked assailants evening of Aug. 19, 2017 in Bacolod City. (Aksyon Radyo-Bacolod photos)
PHILIPPINE Coast Guard members secure and survey the stretch of Iloilo River during the DoubleDragon Boat competition on Aug. 19, 2017. (Ricky D. Alejo)
ZONE OF PEACE The Department of Education calls for the signing of the Safe Schools Declaration to protect educational institutions from attacks by state and non-state forces. (Ricky D. Alejo)
A YOUNG boy joins adults in prayer in Sara town, Iloilo. And they need to pray more as the bloody war on drugs rages on and even claimed the life of a teenager in Caloocan City, Metro Manila, who wanted to become a police officer. (Ricky D. Alejo)
"FROM the bitterness of disease, man learns the sweetness of health," thus said House committee on trade and industry chairman Rep. Ferjenel Biron (4th District,Iloilo), a medical doctor, in sponsoring House Bill 3252, which establishes the Drug Price Regulatory Board. He said his proposal is consistent with President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to make cheaper medicines available to all Filipinos. (GB/PC/ICY Jr./www.congress.gov.ph)
POLICE Director General Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa (left) and Chief Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag lead the wreath-laying at the Heroes’ Wall of Camp Delgado in Iloilo City during the PNP anniversary celebration on Aug 14, 2017. The PNP chief urged Police Regional Office-6 officers to sustain the campaign against illegal drugs. (Ricky D. Alejo)
BOYS build a sandcastle in Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan. Local officials aim to make the island-resort free from human trafficking. (Ricky D. Alejo)
ILOILO CITY Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (right) receives a Plaque of Appreciation from Police Director General Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa at Camp Martin Delgado, Iloilo City on Aug. 14, 2017. The Police Regional Office-6 recognized the Iloilo City government of Iloilo for its contributions to the attainment of the vision and mission of the PNP regional office. Also in photo are PRO-6 officials led by Chief Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag. (Ricky D. Alejo)
PRO-6 regional director Chief Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag (left) and IPPO director Marlon Tayaba (center) accompany Police Director General Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa (right) in inspecting the troops at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City, Aug. 14, 2017. (Ricky D. Alejo)
MEMBERS of the Regional Highway Patrol Group apprehend motorists through the national highway along Guzman, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Aug. 9, 2017. Authorities have started implementing the Anti-Distracted Driving and Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving laws recently. (Maricyn A. De los Santos)
DAVAO CITY Rep. Karlo Nograles (center) with WVSU president Luis Sorolla (right) and PIA-6 regional director Janet Mesa in a press conference on Aug. 11, 2017 at WVSU Lapaz Campus. (Ricky D. Alejo)
AGRICULTURE Sec. Manny Piñol, an Ilonggo by blood, questioned the cutting of mangroves along Iloilo River to give way to the Esplanade project. (File)
US Navy Diver Chief Gregory Howe (center) describes the capabilities of the DP-2 Diving System to Philippine Coast Guard Ensign Kate Royce-Desusa (second from right) and her Dive Team.
TALISAY City Mayor Neil Lizares (4th from right) turns over the P500 allowance to the barangay tanods recently. (Photo by Tito Leo J)
AGRICULTURE Sec. Manny Piñol (3rd from left) with (from left) DA-6 regional executive director Remelyn Recoter, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., BFAR National Director Eduardo B Gongona and Assistant Secretary Hansel Didulo in a press conference, Aug. 8, 2017 at Westown Hotel, Iloilo City. (Ricky D. Alejo)
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte signed the executive order dissolving Negros Island Region during the 17th Cabinet Meeting on August 7, 2017. (Malacañang photo)
DR. PACITA Gonzalez (center), widow of the late justice secretary and Iloilo City congressman Raul Gonzalez Sr., recently takes her oath as the newest member of the ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) before Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III at the Philippine Senate in Pasay City, Metro Manila. Sen. Pimentel is also PDP-Laban president.
SSEAYP delegates Kelly Binder and Jasper Ruby Vijar and SSEAYP national leader, Junel Divinagracia with the Iloilo City Council led by Vice-Mayor Joe Espinosa III at the City Council Session Hall, Aug. 8, 2017. (Ricky D. Alejo)
FIRE TRUCKS of the Bureau of Fire Protection Iloilo City park along Muelle Loney in City Proper district, Aug. 7, 2017. The BFP city and regional offices will soon move out of the area and transfer to a new location in Molo which was donated by the City Government. Their old spot will soon be the location of the new Iloilo Freedom Grandstand. (Ricky D. Alejo)
NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. (center) congratulates Senior Supt. Rodolfo Castil (right) for his appointment as NOPPO director. Joining them is Major Gen. Jon Aying of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
(Top photo) OIC Assistant Regional Director Jose Al V. Fruto of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 6 with Regional Executive Director Jim O. Sampulna of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 6 discuss the effects of the expansion of the Iloilo Esplanade 4 and 6 on the mangroves situated along the Iloilo River during the joint meeting at the DENR Regional Office, August 1, 2017. (Photo above) Project Engineer Mavi J. Gustilo of DPWH Region 6 presents the technical details and location map of the said project before the DENR Officials.The DPWH assured the construction of the Esplanade takes into consideration the effects on the mangroves. Engr. Gustilo also explained that the embankments serving as access would have enough cross drains to allow inflow and outflow of water. In addition, Fruto assured the DENR, should the mangroves need to be transferred, earth-balling method or moving the plant by digging out the earth and roots would be observed. Replanting in suitable locations along the river is also an option. DPWH aims to finish Esplanade 4 and 6 by March 2018. (Photos by DPWH-6 RPAIO) (CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
THE Task Force Anti-Squatting and Illegal Settlers has demolished structures on the Iloilo City government property in Muelle Loney area, Aug. 7, 2017, despite a civil case filed in court. Related story on Page 2. (Ricky D. Alejo)
BLOOD DONATION Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (2nd from left) and City Health Office chief Dr. Bernard Caspe (right) with (from left) Punong Barangays Edwin Dumio of South Baluarte, Madonna Martin of Concepcion and Roberto Nino of Calumpang, Aug. 7, 2017. The village chiefs were honored by the Philippine Red Cross-Western Visayas Regional Blood Center-Iloilo City Chapter for actively supporting the National Voluntary Blood Services Program (NVBSP) of the Department of Health-6. (Ricky D. Alejo)
CLEANUP Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (center) poses with Punong Barangays Edwin Dumio of South Baluarte and Barbie Aroza of Nabitasan, Aug. 7, 2017. The two village chiefs were cited for supporting the Environmental Management Bureau’s Adopt-an-Estero Waterbody Program. (Ricky D. Alejo)
ASEAN streamers and billboard are up at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds as the city prepares for the Philippines' Grand Celebration of ASEAN's 50th anniversary which will be held simultaneously around the country today, Aug. 8, 2017 at 7‬ p.m. (PIO)
EUGENE Torre (left), the first chess grandmaster of Asia, plays with Ilonggo woodpushers, including Rafael Lazarus Zulueta-Salazar (right) of Westbridge School, at SM City Iloilo, Aug. 6, 2017. Torre traces his roots to Iloilo City and is the first Asian to earn the International Grandmaster title. The Iloilo City Council passed a resolution authored by Councilor Liezl Joy Zulueta-Salazar recognizing Torre's unparalleled achievement in sports, particularly in chess. (Ricky D. Alejo)
OFFICIALS of Barangay Posadas, Sara, Iloilo take pride in their newly completed Barangay Hall. Also in photo are Iloilo 5th District Rep. Raul “Boboy” Tupas and DPWH 3rd Engineering District head George Suy. (Ricky Alejo)
FACULTY and teachers of Malapaya Elementary School (left photo) and Nicomedes R. Tubar Sr. National High School (right photo) join Iloilo 5th District Rep. Raul “Boboy” Tupas, Iloilo Board Member Nielo Tupas, DPWH 3rd Engineering District head George Suy and local officials of Sara and San Dionisio in the inauguration of their respective school buildings, Aug. 4, 2017. (Ricky Alejo)
THE late Corporal Arjhay Baroa (3rd from left) with fellow Scout Rangers. Baroa was killed in action while fighting Maute terror group members in Marawi City last Aug. 3, 2017. (Photo from Rjhay Valor Baroa’s Facebook account)
ASIA'S first chess Grand Master Eugene Torre (2nd from left), a true-blooded Ilonggo, pays Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. a courtesy visit, August 4, 2017. Torre is in Iloilo for a series of activities to promote chess, especially among the youth. Also in photo are Dr. Raymundo Lapating (right), director of the province's Center for Sports and Physical Fitness and Board Member Valentine Serag (2nd from right). (Erly Garcia/Capitol)
ILOILO Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. orders Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) chief Atty. Arturo Cangrejo to intensify the monitoring of quarry operations in the province in a meeting with the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC), Aug. 2, 2017 at the Capitol. RDC-RMPC reported that several infrastructures in the province are in danger due to excessive quarrying on rivers. (Ricky D. Alejo)
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, (center) and BTAO head Supt. Luisito Acebuche (2nd from left) meet on Aug. 1, 2017 with the DPWH-Unified Project Management Office-Bridges Management Cluster officials to discuss traffic rerouting plans and closure of Araneta Avenue on Aug. 7 to 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., to allow DPWH personnel to install the “pre-fabricated modular steel girder” under the Araneta-Magsaysay Flyover Project. (PIO)
FISHERFOLKS take advantage of the fair weather to catch fish for their daily subsistence. The healthy mangroves in the background assure them of good catch daily. (FAA)
DRUG surrenderers sing "Today my Life Begins" during their graduation ceremony, July 31, 2017 at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Iloilo City. The graduates are products of the Iloilo City government’s community-based rehabilitation program dubbed “Crossroads”. (Ricky D. Alejo)
FEMALE applicants submit their urine sample for pregnancy test at the PRO-6 Regional Health Service as part of their screening test. PRO-6 sees to it that the upcoming trainees are physically fit and capable for training. (Photo by Shella C Gigabalen/RPIO6)
NEVER TOO LATE TO START Resident learners of Buenavista Municipal jail in Sitio Wawan, Buenavista, Guimaras follow instructions from DepEd Guimaras ALS (Alternative Learning System) coordinator Christopher Pillora (right). In the recent equivalency and accreditation tests, the jail facility notched a 100% passing rate. (J. Britanico/BJMPVICRS)
ILOILO CITY Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (6th from left) and head of national government agencies assured 199 graduates of Crossroads of government support, including skills training, livelihood support, among others, on July 31,2017. (Ricky D. Alejo)
A CROSSROADS graduate enlists with Public Employment Service Office-Iloilo City and applies for available jobs in the construction industry. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) encourages drug surrenderers to train for in-demand jobs like masonry, welding, carpentry, among others for them to easily land a job. (Ricky D. Alejo)
MS. LISA Gokongwei-Cheng (center), president of Summit Publishing, hands over to Edgar Injap Sia II (right) a copy of the newly released book entitled Life Principles by Injap Sia. Through the book, Injap imparts the principles he lives by that made him the fearless yet disciplined businessman and passionate yet grounded dreamer that he remains today. The book is now out in bookstores and newsstands. Injap will donate all proceeds from the sale of the book to charity.
COUNCILORS Ed Peñaredondo (right), Joshua Alim (2nd from right) and Lady Julie Grace Baronda (left) share their opinions on the call to probe Barangay Captains Jolly Peñasales of Rizal, La Paz and Dominador Deocampo of Tanza Baybay, City Proper during their regular session, Aug. 15, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Iloilo City Council)
MAYOR Geffrey Alonsabe of Alimodian, Iloilo inked his commitment to eradicate illegal drugs in his jurisdiction. Alonsabe is among the Iloilo local chief executives who welcomed Police Director Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to Iloilo City, Aug. 14, 2017. (Ricky D. Alejo)
ILOILO CITY Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog with the De La Salle University Green Archers headed by coach Alvin Ayo. The Green Archers played against Sky Cable Iloilo in a friendly match held Aug. 22, 2017 at Iloilo Sports Complex in line with the 80th Charter Day celebration of Iloilo City. (Ricky D. Alejo)
THE Iloilo City Council with representatives of BYD Auto Industry Company Limited, Aug. 22, 2017 at SP Session Hall, City Hall. The firm met with the councilors to discuss the proposed MOA and non-disclosure agreement for the conduct of a pre-feasibility study for the implementation of a comprehensive monorail system in Iloilo City. (Ricky D. Alejo)
THE Iloilo City Council with representatives of BYD Auto Industry Company Limited, Aug. 22, 2017 at SP Session Hall, City Hall. The firm met with the councilors to discuss the proposed MOA and non-disclosure agreement for the conduct of a pre-feasibility study for the implementation of a comprehensive monorail system in Iloilo City. (Ricky D. Alejo)
NO GIFT POLICY Central Negros Electric Cooperative board president Roy Cordova shows to the media the Ceneco handbook which prescribes prohibited acts for employees, particularly the ban on receiving gifts.