Quirino, Philippines

Cabarroguis, Quirino (16 May) — The province of Quirino played host to the 2nd quarter general assembly meeting of the Provincial and Municipal General Services Officers in Region 02.

Dr. Noel B. Martines, Provincial General Supply Officer of Quirino said the meeting served as a venue to discuss issues and problems in the course of discharging their functions and duties, different interpretations on laws and regulations pertaining to general services operations and other legal matters.

“We are expected to help build, promote and sustain a strong and committed general services by implementing the general services laws, rules and regulations in our respective charge with efficiency, transparency, and economy,” Martinez said.

Martinez stressed the need to maintain a good working relationship with other General Services Officers not only in Region 2 but throughout the country through teamwork, networking and with utmost respect.

Alfredo Mendoza, PGSO of Isabela and Region 02 President of Philippine Association of General Services Officers (PAGSAO 02) together with the members mapped out action plans and programs and to determine directions and strategies for the improvement of the general services.

Virgillio S. Allas, Audit Team Leader and Ruth Sonday, Assistant Audit Team Leader of Commission on Audit, Quirino Office likewise discussed the Updates on Supply and Property Management and COA Rules and Regulations. (PIA Quirino)

Cabarroguis, Quirino (16 May) — True to his promise to bring the government closer to the people, Gov. Carlo E. Cua has already reached out to 21 (out of the 130) barangays of the province through the I Love Quirino Caravan Project.

“This is in fulfillment of my promise during the campaign period to visit you personally and listen to your voice, to your issues and needs,” Cua said.

The caravan project was launched last February 6 which aimed to bring new life and new hope to the people of Quirino.

To date, the caravan has already committed more than two million from the provincial government funds for various projects for the 21 barangays visited.

The Rural Improvement Clubs (RIC’s) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) were also given P50,000 each for them to start their own projects.

On the other hand, Cua challenged the youth leaders to work hard and prove themselves worthy members of the society by participating in barangay development undertakings.

He also said, he is giving them the autonomy to choose their own projects out of the amount provided by the provincial government.

During his barangay visits, he brought various services such as medical/dental mission, nutrition and responsible parenting counselings, disaster preparedness information & education campaign, tourism promotion and anti-drug abuse campaigns.

As envisioned by the governor himself, the I Love Quirino Caravan hopes to reach all the 130 barangays to personally check the needs of the people. (PIA Quirino)

The Sandiganbayan has found former Quirino governor Josie Castillo-Co guilty of graft for anomalies in the purchase of heavy equipment in 1996.

The anti-graft court’s second special division sentenced Co to a jail term of six years to nine years and ordered her to pay the provincial government P330,490.78, the interest paid for the advance payment to the Japanese supplier of the equipment worth P43.5 million.

The Sandiganbayan also imposed a lifetime prohibition against Co from holding any elective or appointive public position.

In a 13-page decision penned by Associate Justice Francisco Villaruz Jr., the court ruled that Co violated Section 3-G of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for the overprice in the purchase of reconditioned heavy equipment.

The Quirino provincial board approved the purchase of brand new equipment, but the provincial government signed a contract with Japan’s Nakajima Trading Corp. on Jan. 11, 1996 for second-hand equipment like bulldozer, backhoe, road grader, water tank, dump truck and a 10-wheeler trailer truck. By Edu Punay

PhilStar

A consumer group yesterday urged President Arroyo to bring down the price of onions despite it being the harvest season for the produce.

Lawyer Quirino Marquinez, founding president of Consumers Union of the Philippines, asked the President urge to local onion producers and retailers to cut  onion prices  in the market as millions of Filipinos cope with the spiraling cost of living.

Marquinez  said he learned that local onion harvest was down, particularly in Nueva Ecija, where the produce is mostly grown. By: Alex Silva

Journal Online 

THE Sandiganbayan Special 2nd Division found guilty for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act a former governor of Quirino Province for entering into a contract of buying reconditioned heavy equipment instead of brand new ones as authorized by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

In a 13-page Decision of the Anti-Graft Court, penned by Associate Justice Francisco Villaruz Jr., former Quirino Governor Josie Castillo-Co was sentenced to 6 years and 1 day to 9 years of imprisonment.

The Sandiganbayan also ordered that Castillo-Co shall suffer “perpetual disqualification from public office” and by way of civil liability the accused “is ordered to indemnify the Provincial Government of Quirino, the sum of P330, 490.78 representing the interest paid to PNB by the provincial government on the 40-percent advance payment to Nakajima Trading.” The said advance payment amounted to 62 million yen or 15 million pesos.

The case stemmed on January 11, 1996 when Castillo-Co as governor of Quirino entered into an agreement with Nakajima Trading for the purchase of heavy equipment for the province such as bulldozer, motor grader, wheel loader, backhoe, dump truck and several others. By Jomar Canlas

Manila Times