Airport guards
to be dismissed
P2M runway lights, parts carted away

The agency manning the security force at the Tagbilaran City Airport will be terminated of its contract after the P2 million burglary of airport lights and equipment discovered last Wednesday.

Gov. Erico Aumentado ordered ATO Manger Edgar Solis to take drastic action on the recent incident as it would jeoparize the operations of the airport which serves no less than four direct flights from Manila daily.
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EDITORIAL
SLOW-PACED LGU PROJECTS

Sometimes, Business consultants conclude "less government is better."

The Private Sector operates better because it has "F" - flexibility - in the sense that its projects are not delayed by bureaucratic red tape and politics. Likewise, in fairness, the demand for public services is almost infinite but the Government resources are finite and limited by deficits and by rule of law and procedure.
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Ocean Jet hits barge, 35 hurt

Thirty-five passengers and crew of OceanJet-3, a fast sea craft plying the Tagbilaran-Cebu route, were injured when said vessel smashed into LCT Valerie barge while approaching the Tagbilaran City Port past 8 o'clock last night.

Capt. Domingo Hoylar of OceanJet told the Chronicle last night he did not immediately notice the barge moving on the same direction of his vessel since there were no lights at said barge.
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Chinese New Year at ICM
By ARIEL E. FULLIDO

As the first day of the new lunar year falls this Thursday, February 7, in the Western calendar, Island City Mall joins the Chinese around the globe on this special day to celebrate the Year of the Rat, a time symbolic of wealth and prosperity in Chinese culture.

At the mall, one can enjoy watching or joining the Dragon Parade on Thursday starting at 4:00 o' clock in the afternoon, and followed by a Dragon Dance with a Martial Arts Exhibition at the Activity Center.
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SPORTS
"Battle of Undefeated"
w/ Banal vs. Mexican

Gerry Peñalosa's mandatory WBO bantamweight title defense against Thai challenger Ratanachai Sor Vorapin on March 2 at the Araneta Coliseum has been called off, but the famed ALA Boxing Gym moved swiftly to keep its two topguns being originally slated in the undercard in the active list.

Eightnews.com has reported that the Penalosa-Vorapin won't push through due to various reasons, including the huge budget intended reasons, including the huge budget intended for the title tiff.
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MANILA. Taiwanese leader Chen Shui-Bian landed on Ligao Island of the disputed Kalayaan group of islands (also known as Spratlys) around yesterday noon, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Claro Cristobal said.

And Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo immediately protested it, calling it "irresponsible political posturing."

The landing is expected to cause tension among all the claimants.
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