TSUNAMI, TORNADO RUMORS SEND BATANGAS FOLK FLEEING
BATANGAS, CITY, March 15, 2006, (STAR) By Arnell Ozaeta - Thousands of residents, including students of three public schools, scampered to safety after a tsunami and tornado scare spread like wildfire in six barangays in Lian and Nasugbu towns yesterday morning, authorities said.Dr. Amante Moog, an officer of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), said the scare arose from a text message claiming that a tsunami would occur anytime between Sunday night and Monday morning.
The text message sent panic among residents of Barangays San Diego, Luyahan and Matabungkay in Lian town as well as in Barangays Bucana, Wawa and Poblacion in Nasugbu town.
The Nasugbu folk, according to Moog, sought refuge in the St. Francis Xavier Church.
Moog, however, belied the rumors, saying they were just a hoax "fabricated by a sick mind."
In an advisory, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) advised the public not to believe such rumors.
"Phivolcs would like to inform the public that there was no recent strong and shallow earthquake in the vicinity that could cause a tsunami," Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said.
Stressing that Phivolcs is the only government agency mandated to issue official earthquake and tsunami information, Solidum advised the public to confirm with his agency such reports issued by other sources.
The public may contact the Phivolcs’ Seismology Division, which is open 24 hours, at (02) 929-9254 or (02) 426-1468 local 124, or and the Office of the Director at (02) 926-2611.
Quoting their field coordinators, Cynthia Catapang, the PDCC’s community affairs officer, said the tsunami and tornado rumor started over the weekend when an old man reportedly warned the residents of the six barangays that an impending disaster would strike their communities anytime. — With Felix de los Santos and Ed Amoroso
Benguet tribes want control of Mt. Pulag back By Charlie Lagasca The Philippine Star 03/15/2006
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Indigenous groups in the mountain Benguet town of Kabayan have asked President Arroyo to revoke an 18-year-old executive order (EO) placing Mount Pulag, the country’s second highest peak, under the control of the national government.
Through their local officials, the Kalanguya and Ibaloi tribes have requested the President to revert their "most sacred" land back under their control and supervision.
In a resolution addressed to the President, Kabayan officials said EO 75 only deprives the indigenous folk of control and management over their ancestral property, running contrary to Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous People’s Reform Act.
Mount Pulag, one of the country’s favorite destinations of local and foreign mountaineers, was declared a national government protected area under EO 75 issued during the administration of President Corazon Aquino.
EO 75, according to the resolution, violates the ancestral domain rights of the indigenous communities as guaranteed in RA 8371.
Besides Kabayan, which hosts Mt. Pulag’s highest peak (2,930 meters above sea level), the mountain also straddles three other municipalities — Ambaguio in Nueva Vizcaya; Tinoc in Ifugao; and Bokod, also in Benguet.
With a land area of 12,000 hectares, the mountain has been regarded as a sacred ground by mountain dwellers, who have been protecting and preserving it.
In asking the President to revoke EO 75, Kabayan officials cited the government’s move to put the control and management of Hundred Islands in Pangasinan back to Alaminos City.
Meanwhile, Gene Basilio, one of the founding members of the Nueva Vizcaya Mountaineering Club, said they are scheduled to again trek to Mt. Pulag via the more scenic Akiki mountain trail on Holy Thursday.
Basilio, a known environmentalist, said many mountaineers are interested in joining the three-day adventure, also aimed at promoting the preservation and conservation of one of the country’s major cultural and tourism destinations.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2006
by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved