Twelve former drug users have completed their recovery and wellness program in Peñarrubia, Abra.
TWELVE former drug users receive a second chance in Penarrubia, Abra. (Photo via Rizaldy Comanda)
The Abra Police Provincial Office (PPO) said they voluntarily surrendered to authorities and underw
The Social Security System (SSS) announced that it is now accepting applications for the Calamity Assistance Package from earthquake-stricken members and pensioners in Abra and Mountain Province.
(SSS Main Office / File Photo)
The application for the package, which consists of Calamity Loan As
Members and pensioners affected by the July 27 magnitude 7.0 northwestern Luzon earthquake may now avail of the Calamity Assistance Package, state-run Social Security System (SSS) announced.
The Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) for members and three-month advance pension for retirees may b
Members and pensioners of the Social Security System (SSS) affected by the recent earthquake that struck Abra and nearby areas may now avail of the calamity assistance package.
In a statement on Thursday, Aug. 18, Michael G. Regino, SSS president and chief executive officer, said that members
The Social Security System (SSS) on Thursday announced that members and pensioners affected by the recent magnitude 7.0 earthquake that jolted northern Luzon last month may now avail of the pension fund’s calamity assistance package.
Social Security System (SSS) President and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Regino announced that members and pensioners affected by the recent Magnitude
(Photo courtesy of Abra Province Facebook Page) MANILA -The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) seeks to partner with the private sector to fast-track land development and construction of resettlement sites in Abra and even in other calamity-stricken areas in the country. Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said on Wednesday DHSUD has initiated preliminary talks with some of the country's biggest developers to explore potential development projects for affected families whose houses were either destroyed or damaged by the 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Northern Luzon last month. "We have been providing emergency shelter assistance since the earthquake happened in the form of temporary shelter materials and now with financial assistance through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP). We now need a proactive response through a more permanent solution to the damages this calamity has caused. Building shelters should now become a priority. We need help from our private partners for us to do that," Acuzar said in a statement. For Abra, the DHSUD chief said, they are eyeing three resettlement sites for quake-affected residents in Tayum, Bucay, and Penarrubia with a potential to build 930 housing units. "I recognize our funding limitations in the government. But we cannot stop there. We need to explore other means, for as long as it is legally allowed, to provide for the housing needs of our fellow Filipinos. The active participation of our partners in the private sector will be a big boost for this purpose. I will personally see to it that this will successfully come into fruition," Acuzar added. Upon validation of DHSUD Regional Office in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the local government, Abra recorded 264 totally destroyed houses while 19,165 were partially damaged in the towns of Tayum, Bangued, Bucay, Pidigan, La Paz, and San Quintin. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier directed the DHSUD, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of National Defense, and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to closely monitor the progress of assistance being provided to the victims of the recent earthquake. Acuzar, along with other DHSUD officials, is scheduled to visit Abra on Thursday to personally oversee the response being undertaken in the area. (PNA) }
More than 1,000 aftershocks have been recorded so far after the magnitude 7 earthquake in Abra, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Friday.
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MANILA - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has approved the reclassification of four caves in the provinces of Abra, Quezon, and Albay for proper management and conservation. The DENR, through its Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), Regional and Provincial offices, reclassified from Class I to Class II the Ganway Cave in Barangay Malamsit, Penarrubia town and the Quitinday Cave in Jovellar town, both in the province of Albay. Sung Wan Cave in Barangay Lawigue, Tayabas City, Quezon province was also reclassified from Class I to Class II. Meanwhile, Palale Cave in Barangay Ibaba Palale in Tayabas City was moved from Class II to I. DENR refers to Class I caves as those with delicate and fragile geological formations, threatened species, and archeological and paleontological values. Caves under this category may only be used for "mapping, photography, educational, and scientific purposes" due to their natural values and hazardous conditions. These are closed for ecotourism activities. Meanwhile, Class II caves contain areas or portions with hazardous conditions and sensitive geological, archeological, cultural, historical, and biological values or high-quality ecosystems. Caves under Class II can be used for guided educational tours and visits led by experienced cavers. DENR OIC Secretary Ernesto Adobo, Jr. said the classification of the caves is pursuant to the DENR Administrative Order No. 2003-29 or the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9072 or the National Caves and Cave Resources Management and Protection Act of 2001 to assess the value of the cave and ascertain its appropriate use. Under the law, the DENR is tasked to plan, develop, and implement a national program for the management, protection, and conservation of caves and cave resources. "Finding the middle ground where the critical importance of caves to the country's biodiversity and the critical role they have to the nation's socio-cultural heritage meet demonstrates the distinct mandate of the DENR to secure the sustainability of the country's rich natural resources and their benefits to our people," Adobo said. With nature-based ecotourism as a critical sector of the country's tourism industry, Adobo pointed out that the pandemic "has highlighted the crucial role the DENR plays" in setting the standards on the development of the country's natural resources, like water bodies and caves, according to their beneficial uses. "These initiatives set a road to more resilient and regenerative nature-based tourism practices that illustrate their natural resilience and, as a result, enable the public to enjoy these natural assets in perpetuity," Adobo added. Before their reclassification, the caves have been assessed for safety and supply of oxygen, high endemism and presence of threats and hazards, safety of its areas as potential ecotourism sites, and absence of hazardous conditions. DENR-BMB OIC-Director Natividad Bernardino said DENR field offices have conducted a re-assessment prior to the reclassification through their cave assessment teams to evaluate changes in the cave and cave resources. "Caves harbor unique fauna, some of which can be sources of raw materials for food, while others such as bats contribute to pollination that provide food for people and other animals," Bernardino said. She reminded the public to follow the protocols for safe caving. "Visit tourism centers and ask for Department of Tourism-accredited cave guides who will help in navigating caves safely," Bernardino said. "Wear proper caving attire and follow proper cave decorum to minimize the impact of ecotourism on caves, as well as ensure visitor safety." (PR) }