It looks like the 3rd Mactan-Cebu bridge project is moving in earnest after the groundbreaking at the start of the year with the Cebu City Government approving the proposal by the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC). An in another bit of good news, the minimum fare in Central Visayas is now P7.
In the battle against drugs, a man whom police said was a big-time drug pusher was arrested with P700,000 worth of shabu.
Here are the top Cebu news stories for today, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015:
Cebu City approves Manny Pangilinan-led company to build 3rd Mactan-Cebu bridge
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has declared the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) the original proponent of the 3rd bridge that will link Cordova to Cebu City. Sun.Star Cebu reported that Rama signed the certification declaring MPTC the original proponent of the project based on a review by the Cebu City Joint Venture Committee.
Rama and Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy led the groundbreaking of the project on Shell Island.
“Based on our review, the proposal was really original and they did not copy other designs.” — City Administrator Lucelle Mercado, in Sun.Star Cebu report.
Mercado heads the Cebu City Joint Venture Committee. She said they already forwarded the certification to MPTC so they can start talking about terms. Mercado said that if no one challenges the proposal then the MPTC will be implementing the project.
- Sun.Star Cebu: Cebu City approves MVP-led firm to build third bridge
LTFRB approves P7 minimum jeepney fare for Central Visayas
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has approved a 50-centavo provisional cut in the jeepney fare in Central Visayas, according to a report by The Freeman.
LTFRB 7 Director Reynaldo Elnar said his recommendation for the P7 minimum fare was approved by their board last Thursday and might be implemented starting Monday. Elnar said the new fare will be announced by LTFRB chairman Winston Gines, who will be in Cebu with other board members on Monday for a meeting on the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project.
Elnar said he will call for a public consultation on January 16 on calls to also cut the fares of other public utility vehicles. Rep. Manuel Iway, who used to be with LTFRB, filed a petition to cut the taxi flagdown rate from P30 to P20 and the fare for each succeeding 300 meters from P3.50 to P2.50.
- The Freeman: LTFRB approves P7 minimum jeepney fare
Talisay City, Tuburan win top spots in Sinulog Sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan
The Talisay City Central Elementary School and the Tinubdan sa Kauswagan Cultural Troupe of Tuburan won their respective divisions during the Sinulog Sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan yesterday. They each won P300,000.
Talisay’s performance told the discovery of the Sto. Niño image in San Nicolas on April 28, 1565, which is commemorated as the Kaplag.
- Sun.Star Cebu: Talisay and Tuburan take home top spots
- The Freeman: Talisay City, Tuburan win
Talisay Mayor JVR threatens to sue over City Council’s decision to cut proposed budget for his office
Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes said he will file a complaint before the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Ombudsman-Visayas over the City Council’s cut by almost half of the proposed budget for his office.
De los Reyes proposed a P41.82 million for his office but this was slashed by the council to P20.31 million.
- The Freeman: JVR to sue council over budget cut
P700,000 worth of shabu seized during arrest of suspected big-time dealer in Carcar
Police seized P700,000 worth of shabu during the arrest of Rodel Quijano in a drug buy-bust Barangay Valladolid, Carcar City last Friday.
Senior Insp. Leo Logronio of the Cebu Provincial Police Office Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) said Quijano can sell more than 50 grams of shabu per week and is part of the drugs watchlist of Carcar City.
He said Quijano is also in their watch list of alleged drug personalities in Carcar City.
- Sun.Star Cebu: Carcar buy-bust yields P700T worth of shabu
- The Freeman: ‘Bigtime drug personality’ falls; P700T shabu seized in buy-bust
Man uses toy gun to rob taxi drive, arrested
A MAN is accused of robbing a taxi driver in Mandaue City using a toy gun on Friday morning. The accused robber, identified as Gabriel Marie Limotan, was brought to the Mandaue police station by the driver, Brian Rabago.
Limotan hailed Rabago in Barangay Basak at 7 a.m. on Friday and asked to be brought to Barangay Cambarao. He then poked what later turned out to be a toy gun on Rabago’s neck and told him to surrender his money. The driver handed his P300 in fares but noticed the gun was a toy. He quickly speeded off toward the Mandaue police office where Rabago was then detained.
- Sun.Star Cebu: Man robs cabbie with toy gun, caught
Other top news stories:
Sun.Star Cebu: Man accused of killing Toledo City barangay captain reported to have offered to surrender amid threats to his life
“He was told that the relatives of the victim are also hunting him down. It’s better if he will surrender, at least we can assure his safety.” — Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Noel Gillamac
