THE whole Alaminos City, in Pangasinan, has been placed in a state of calamity after Typhoon Cosme wrought damage to property estimated at P238 million, or almost as big as the city’s total budget for 2008.

In a news conference, Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza said the typhoon affected 30,145 residents in 39 barangays or about 40 percent of the city’s total population, and completely destroyed 1,421 houses.

A total of 4,764 others were partially damaged, he added.

Alaminos City was isolated for days owing to floods and debris scattered along major highways and streets.

Braganza announced the creation of Task Force Bayanihan to help 3,604 families out of the 6,563 households with an initial budget of P409,198.16.

“I thank various organizations, private establishments and religious institution for their assistance,” he said.

Among those who extended their help were the Alaminos 100, Jollibee–ABS-CBN, Diocese of Alaminos, Nepo Mart, TeaM Energy, Alaminos Water District, Alpha Phi Omega-Pantalan Chapter, Philippine National Red Cross-Alaminos Chapter and Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Braganza said roads were passable 24 hours after the storm left the province, while electricity had been restored in 36 percent of the city.

Water supply has been restored in many areas.

“But much has to be done yet. Some P2 million from the development fund on top of the P3 million from the calamity fund was realigned,” Braganza said.

The residents and city government need at least P24 million and P41 million, respectively, to buy galvanized iron sheets and other housing materials.

Taxis must issue receipts, SC rules

THE Supreme Court (SC) has denied the petition filed by major taxi operators seeking to stop the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) from implementing several memorandum circulars imposing standards and regulations for taxi and mega taxi units, including the issuance of taxi meter receipts.

A KIDNAP for ransom and robbery group allegedly responsible for the abduction of a bank executive last week has been busted with the arrest of its 10 members, including its leader, in a series of operations in Metro Manila, and Nueva Ecija.

THE 125,000-strong National Police will implement on Tuesday a nationwide security and public-safety plan for the opening of classes around the country.

AT least seven persons, most of them minors, were rescued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from an alleged human-trafficking syndicate in an operation in North Harbor, Manila.

ZAMBOANGA CITY—A notorious Abu Sayyaf bandit with P500,000 price on his head and one of those allegedly involved in last year’s beheading of a Marine killed in an ambush was arrested by combined police and military forces in Basilan, a police official disclosed Monday.

THE whole Alaminos City, in Pangasinan, has been placed in a state of calamity after Typhoon Cosme wrought damage to property estimated at P238 million, or almost as big as the city’s total budget for 2008.

THE Metro Manila police command has activated a task force to track down the policeman who is suspected of involvement in the killing of two Commission on Elections officials.