TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol – The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) is mulling the possibility of training street stray dogs, known as “askals,” to become drug-sniffing dogs.

BPPO Director Rodolfo Llorca said he would like to know if training “askals” would be just as effective as training expensive breeds of dogs to aid authorities in weeding out drug contrabands in cargoes and baggage. Llorca said the problem of drugs passing through the ports of Bohol from other ports around the country still persists, and having drug-sniffing dogs would surely help authorities in seizing the contraband. But during a recent police forum here, Llorca said training German Shepherds and other high-breed dogs will be very expensive. He said if there is a chance that “askals” can be trained for the job, it will be of great help to the police, he said. (Mars W. Mosqueda Jr.)

Palo to restore old town hall

PALO, Leyte – The old municipal building of this town is set to undergo restoration instead of undergoing full reconstruction. Palo Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla revealed this plan to rest speculations that the old mansion-type municipal building of Palo town would be rebuilt and relocated at the Government Center to stand with other regional and provincial offices in Candahug, Palo. Petilla said they thought of constructing a new municipal building at the Government Center with the provincial government with Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla giving the nod. However, the present municipal building is more strategically located and accessible to its constituents as it is now, Petilla said. ( Jack C. Gadaingan)

Boracay project cooperation vowed

BORACAY ISLAND (PNA) – Both the Aklan provincial government and the Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) vowed cooperation to settle concerns over the implementation of the R260-million reclamation project at the Caticlan Jetty Port in Malay, Aklan. Earlier, the BFI filed a complaint at the Department of Interior and Local Government over the planned project, saying they were not consulted in the process of seeking legal permits over the project considered by the province as their economic pump priming activity. Niven Maquirang, Caticlan Jetty Port administrator, said the Aklan provincial government is bent on pursuing the project but also welcomes recommendations coming from the business sector of this resort island.

Aid increase for seniors approved

DUMAGUETE CITY (PNA) – The Sangguniang Bayan of Sibulan has passed a resolution increasing its quarterly financial assistance for senior citizens from P500 to P750, citing hike in prices of basic commodities. The resolution was unanimously approved by the SB during its regular session Thursday and effective in the next quarter release of the financial assistance. Earlier, some SB members expressed apprehensions over the possible uncontrolled increase in membership with the increased financial assistance. But it was agreed during the session that stricter security measures would be adopted in accepting applicants for membership of the Federation of Sibulan Senior Citizens Association. SBM Job Villauz, author of the ordinance, said there are 2,093 members enjoying the P500 assistance under the Senior Citizens Assistance program.