RIZAL PROVINCE, Philippines — School children and their parents who are based in poor communities continue to benefit from the provincial government’s commitment to continue the enhancement of health and nutrition services of the Rizaleños with the holding of a series of medical missions and feeding programs during this Christmas Season.

The office of Rizal Gov. Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III disclosed that hundreds of school children at the Tapayan Elementary School in Lupang Arienda in Taytay as well as their parents have availed of the free medical and dental service and feeding program recently.

The medical missions, which are part of the regular health and nutrition services under Ynares’ “Best For Rizal” program of action, are packaged with the giving of free medicines, vitamins to school children; and lectures on proper nutrition and cooking demonstration; and responsible parenthood for parents.

Provincial Health Office (PHO) Director Iluminado Victoria said the holding of medical missions in public schools came as the Department of Education (DepEd) has identified the areas where the nutritional status of school kids are said to be low. (Nel Andrade)

BUCAYU HEADS PANGASINAN P.N.P.

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines — Chief Supt. Franklin Jesus B. Bucayu is now the new director of the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO 1) who assumed office the other day during a change of command ceremony held at the PRO1 Grandstand here.

Bucayu, a member of Philippine Military Academy “Dimalupig” Class of 1981, replaced Chief Supt. Orlando M. Mabutas who turned 56 Wednesday, the compulsory retirement age for police uniformed personnel.

The turn-over of command was presided over by Police Deputy Director General Perfecto P. Palad, the deputy chief for administration of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who was the guest of honor and speaker of the said event.

Bucayu expressed his gratitude to President Aquino and to PNP chief Director General Raul M. Bacalzo for giving him their trust and confidence to lead the Region 1 police.

Among his priority thrusts, signified by the acronym “PRO1” as Professional Competency, Rights-Based Policing, Operational Effectiveness, and Efficiency and Unity of Purpose and Unity of Command. (Liezle Basa Inigo)

DISASTER AWARENESS IN BENGUET SCHOOLS

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — At least 10 schools in the different parts of the vegetable-producing province of Benguet were identified by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) to pilot test an 18-month disaster preparedness project funded by the Siemens Foundation and the German Red Cross in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd).

The project is aimed to increase resilience among stakeholders and reduce vulnerability in target schools that will enable them to better prepare for, mitigate, and respond adequately to natural disasters.

Atok and Itogon were chosen to be the pilot areas for the disaster preparedness project because they are considered as high-risk places based on earlier incidents of landslides triggered by heavy rains and strong winds over the past several years.

Included in the pilot schools in Atok are the Adoyonan Elementary School, Cagui-ing Elementary School, Camp 30 Elementary School, Topdac Elementary School, and Atok National High School main and annex, while the pilot schools in Itogon are the Pacalso Elementary School, Tuding Elementary School, Ucab Elementary School, Acupan Elementary School, Alejo M. Pacalso Memorial High School Main, and Loakan Annex. (Dexter See)