Hazardous

Quirino health workers decry unpaid benefits

CABARROGUIS, Quirino–Health workers in this province are up in arms against the non-payment by the provincial government of their hazard pay, while denouncing local politicians for their supposed reckless spending of public funds.

The provincial chapter of the Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) here on Monday slammed the alleged apathy shown by the provincial leadership for their failure to settle unpaid benefits of about 300 health workers.

Dr. Reynald Narbarte, president of AHW Quirino said their members are demanding the hazard pay that they are supposed to receive, as mandated by Republic Act 7305 or the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers.

Mining curse

Miner buried alive at Aussie firm’s mine site

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya–An artisanal miner was killed after he was buried while inside a tunnel in the remote village of Didipio in upland Kasibu town, site of a proposed large-scale mining project by a foreign company.

Supt. Domingo Lucas, acting police director, said the victim, one Job Ananayo, a small-scale miner from nearby Wangal village, was buried alive when the tunnel collapsed in the sub-village of Dinauyan, at around 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Taking a stand

N. Vizcaya, Quirino, Ifugao law studes blast GMA, join ‘resign’ calls

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya–Law students from this province and Ifugao have joined calls for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, expressing exasperation over the “growing wanton acts of large-scale corruption” allegedly committed under her government.

Law students said the people have grown weary and frustrated, so that the only solution is to change the leadership that has been perceived to be either “an active party, an accomplice of or a passive onlooker” on anomalous deals in government.

“It is now high time for us to take action. The Arroyo regime has been duping us for a long while now. We cannot just stand here and let all these to go on,” said Dr. Bernard Balangatan, law student and university professor.