KALIBO, Aklan — Reaching out to the community is an intensified effort presently undertaken by the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) under its new leadership — Police director Sr. Supt. Epifanio Bragais, Jr. Meeting with the Muslim community, and initiating feeding project. In a press release from PO2 Nida Gregas, Deputy PIO, APPO has successfully held the recent first summit with IMAM/MUSLIM leaders representing their groups from Boracay and Kalibo Muslim Associations, at APPO headquarters, Camp Martelino, Kalibo, Aklan.

Objective of the summit was to promote healthy working relations with the Muslim community, and adddress the issues related to maintenance of peace and order in the province of Aklan. In attendance to the summit were 25 Imam/muslim leaders, with chiefs of police of Boracay and Kalibo, and Salaam Police and Salaam desks. Faizal Arumac, president of Boracay Muslim Association has expressed willingness to work as partners with the PNP in the campaign against criminality to ensure peace and order in the province.

Gregas said that another community relations effort initiated by APPO was a feeding program in the Day Care Center at Brgy. Tugas, Makato, Aklan, in relation to the 17th Children's Month celebration. 80 pupils of the Center have availed of nutritious breakfast served by the Police in coordination with Brgy. Capt. Alexis Togoto and Day Care teacher Marlyn Tabernilla. Bragais has urged the policemen to promote a child-friendly community by protecting the rights of the child. Tugas was chosen as pilot barangay for the police feeding project. (Edith B. Colmo)

Northern Samar violence kills LGU worker

CAMP RUPERTO NGLEON, Palo,Leyte-Armed violence continues in the province of Northern Samar, with its latest victim a lowly civilian government employee. Chief Supt. Mario T. San Diego, PNP Region 8 Director, identified the victim as Crusada Serrano, 48, years old and a resident of Brgy.Burabod, San Antonio,Northern Samar, and an employee of the local government unit (LGU) of San Antonio.

Serrano was shot dead October 35, 2009 in the afternoon by a still unidentified killer with the use of .45 caliber pistol. He was viewing a DVD movie inside his house when the lone suspect barged into his residence and shot him, causing his instant death.

The lone suspect immediately fled to the poblacion proper of San Antonio. The San Antonio police station is now conducting its investigation into the shooting and making efforts to identify the lone suspect. (Nestor L.Abrematea)

Business permit processing now done fast

BACOLOD CITY — Business firms can now apply for renewal of or apply for an entirely new business permit in 2010 with the Licensing Division of the City Treasurer’s Office. Ardis Jaculina, Head of the Licensing Division said business permits can be processed in just an hour as long as the signatories are immediately available unlike before when it took more than a day to process renewal or application for a new business permit.

With the advent of modern, advance technology, such as the ICT on-line data processing installed in the Licensing Division office, business permits can be secured by businessmen in an hour’s time. Jaculina, however, lamented over the Government’s deferment of the revenue tax code.

As a matter of fact, she said Bacolod City is now long overdue to increase its taxes. “It is the only highly urbanized city with the lowest tax in the country,” she said. (Edith Colmo)