RODRIGUEZ, Rizal, Philippines — The municipal government of Rodriguez is now eyeing the establishment of more public hospitals to serve more destitute residents in the area since providing health services is the top priority of the administration of Rodriguez Mayor Cecilio Hernandez.

Rodriguez Vice Mayor Jonas Cruz said one public hospital will be put up in Barangay San Jose, Kasiglahan as early as next year, adding that funding sources are now being sought by the municipal government.

Moreover, the municipal government of Rodriguez has set aside P150,000 for each of four public hospitals in Metro Manila where many of the indigent residents of the municipality are brought for treatment, he said.

These are the Amang Rodriguez Hospital, East, Avenue, Philippine General Hospital and Quirino Memorial Hospital in Project 4 , Quezon City. (Madelynne Dominguez)

2 TARLAQUEÑOS BAG O.F.W. AWARD

TARLAC CITY, Philippines — Two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from this city were honored by the Regional Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) after they were chosen as recipients of the 2010 Model OFW Family Award in the land-based and sea-based categories.

Chosen in the land-based category was the family of Engineer Ernie Lagman Garan of Barangay San Sebastian while the family of Capt. Jesus Quaizon Tongol of Barangay San Roque was declared winner in the seabased category.

Both families were also recognized for their unceasing effort in helping out their fellowmen especially the underprivileged through their regular conduct of civic and religious activities. (Franco G. Regala)

19 IFUGAO YOUTHS GET D.A.R. GRANTS

LAMUT, Ifugao, Philippines — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the province has provided scholarship grants to deserving children of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), which is part of the interventions of concerned government agencies to boost rural development.

Leanor Bascos, Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer, said the Programang Agraryo Iskolar (PAI) of DAR was awarded to 19 dependents of ARBs in the province to help them finish a four-year agriculture related degree course so that they will be able to utilized their acquired skills and knowledge to jumpstart the development of agriculture development in the countryside.

Bascos disclosed that the qualified scholars are currently enrolled at the Ifugao State University with 13 of them studying at the main campus, four at the Portia campus and two at the Lagawe campus. (Dexter A. See)

MILD QUAKE HITS BATANES

SINAIT, Ilocos Sur, Philippines — A 3.8 magnitude tectonic mild quake rocked the Batanes province last Tuesday evening but no damage was reported, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) satellite office here.

Local Phivolcs researcher Julius Galdiano said the quake struck at about 11:09 p.m. Tuesday.

The epicenter of the quake was traced at 65 kms northwest of Basco, Batanes with a depth of 28 kms. Galdiano said no recorded intensity was felt in the affected area. He said no aftershock will be expected after the mild quake considering that this was tectonic in origin.

“We don’t expect any report of damage to properties after the quake considering that the quake was very weak,” he said. (Freddie G. Lazaro)