NATION ROUNDUP

1 CATANDUANES / 8 TOWNS UNDER CALAMITY STATE

At least eight of Catanduanes’ 11 towns were declared under a state of calamity by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Friday due to the damage brought about by the heavy rains spawned by Tropical Depression Agaton last week. Under a state of calamity are Caramoran, Bato, San Miguel, Baras, Gigmoto, Viga, Payo, and Bagamanoc. Gov. Joseph Cua said he appreciates the immediate response of the SP to the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Although, no immediate damage cost was released, majority of the residents in these towns earned their living through abaca stripping, farming and fishing, sectors that were devastated by “Agaton’s” downpour and flooding. PB Member Arnel Turado said only eight towns were named since “it is their duty to scrutinize the basic requirements in declaring the province under the state of calamity as required by the rules.” / PNA

2 LEGAZPI CITY / PDEA PROBES TAIWAN VESSEL TIES

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is looking into the possible involvement of a Taiwanese vessel in the dumping of 24 kg. of cocaine worth PHP125 million in Matnog, Sorsogon province, its regional director said here Saturday. Christian Frivaldo said they are investigating reports that the cocaine found at the shorelines of Barangay Calintaan in Matnog could have come from the Jin Ming16, which according to the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) is under its watch list for engaging in illegal activities using nautical routes in the Pacific Ocean near the Philippine waters. / PNA

3 ZAMBOANGA/ PIÑOL SEEKS LOG BAN IN PROVINCE

Department of Agriculture (DA) Sec. Emmanuel Piñol disclosed he will ask President Rodrigo Duterte to put a total stop to logging operations here in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Piñol issued the statement after he inspected Friday the areas ravaged by Tropical Storm “Vinta.” “I, as secretary of agriculture, is blaming the logging operations for the massive agricultural damage in the towns Sirawai, Siocon, Sibuco, and Baliguian (in Zamboanga del Norte province) and the deaths in the mentioned towns,” Piñol said in a press conference. / PNA