TABUK, Kalinga — The provincial government here will implement the necessary programs and projects that will help pull-out Kalinga from the club of poorest provinces in the country during the Aquino administration once given the considerable support.

The provincial officials cited their collective development agenda that will focus on poverty alleviation, revenue generation and infrastructure build up which are considered to be the major facets of economic development, especially in less developed local governments and far-flung villages such as those in the different parts of the province. At present, the province has adequate development policies, programs and projects but what is needed is their proper execution and implementation.

“Though we operate on a small budget, we have to maximize it in order to meet targets, thus, the need for sufficient funding support from the national government since local funds are not enough to sustain the desired implementation of appropriate poverty reduction interventions,” local officials said.

Local officials admitted that they were not able to deliver the needed services to their constituents in their fist 100 days in office but assured them more services will be done in the remaining years of their term. (Dexter See)

Region 1 Press Group Formed

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — In an effort to unite the media practitioners from the four provinces in Region 1, the Regional Police Office 1 extended its assistance for the holding of an election for the officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) PNP Region 1 Press Corps.

One of the objectives of PNP Region 1 director Gen. Orlando Mabutas is to help solve media killings and prevent harassments among media practitioners in the area.

As this developed, an election was conducted at Camp Florendo in La Union on Saturday for the new set of officers of the press corps, where 15 media practitioners were elected, including two correspondents of the Manila Bulletin – Freddie Lazaro of Ilocos provinces, and Liezle Basa Inigo of Pangasinan.

Chief RPIO P/Supt. Raul Romero and his deputy, PCI Ferdinand “Bingo” De Asis assisted mediamen during election. According to Romero, the move will unite the media practitioners from the four provinces. (Liezle Basa Inigo)

Pagdilao Bares New Priorities

Chief Supt. Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr. has set the priorities that he intends to work on as new director of Region 4-A Police Office in the next 100 days. Region 4-A comprises the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon or Calabarzon.

Pagdilao said that first and foremost is the conduct of night and day police operations, installation of checkpoints and strict implementation of the gun ban to ensure that the October 25 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will be peaceful and orderly.

Other priorities include the daily enforcement of crime prevention measures, addressing of the crime rate and crime-solution efficiency, the aggressive campaign against illegal drugs, gambling and other forms of vices, and improve further the capability of the police in handling crime situations, particularly hostage-taking incidents and shooting encounters.

The first order of Pagdilao to all provincial directors and other officers under his turf was to implement the priorities, instill discipline among the ranks and improve further the camaraderie and rapport with the citizens. “We hope to get these (priorities) done in 100 days,” said Pagdilao. (Anthony Giron)