CAINTA, Rizal — In support to the livelihood programs for the persons with disabilities (PWD) the provincial government is set to purchase armchairs made by wheel-chaired members of the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (TWH) based in this town.

This developed as Rizal Gov. Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III has ordered the procurement office of the provincial government to purchase the province’s armchair requirements from the Gintong Pangarap Cooperative of the TWH, a community of PWD who spend most of their time in doing various livelihood activities.

In a directive, Ynares ordered procurement office head Jun Arcilla to order from the PWDs’ cooperative the provincial government’s requirements of tablet armchairs which are being distributed to public elementary and secondary schools province-wide.

“In this way, the provincial government could help the persons with disabilities housed in the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, in their livelihood,” Ynares said.

With the school building program in full swing, armchair requirements for schools could reach several thousands units. Gintong Pangarap’s officials lauded Ynares for supporting the livelihood programs of the disabled persons in the province. (Nel B. Andrade)

DE VENECIA BACKS ESPINO ADVOCACY

DAGUPAN CITY — Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr. has won the support of Rep. Gina de Venecia in prioritizing health programs in the province, particularly for the poor.

As Espino embarked on improving district hospitals in this province, De Venecia now sets her sights into the Region 1 Medical Center the largest and most modern hospital in Luzon.

In filing House Bill 3840, De Venecia seeks to increase the bed capacity of the regional hospital in Dagupan City from 300 to 600; authorizing the increase of its medical personnel; upgrading its services and facilities and professional health care; and appropriating funds therefore.

If this bill is passed in Congress, the medical center will be the largest hospital north of Manila and the 10th biggest in the country. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

CLARK POSTS $1.34 B IN EXPORTS

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) here reported in its yearend report that it has capped at least $1.34 billion in exports from January to December 2010.

CDC President Benigno N. Ricafort said Clark’s total exports for the previous year comprises more than 30 percent of the projected regional exports for 2010 in Region 3.

He added that because of the figure, CDC became a major contributor to the Central Luzon economic figures, along with Subic.

Ricafort added that exports in Clark are projected to triple in the next 24 months as major semi-conductor companies reach their full operating capacity.

Ricafort said the centerpiece of the CDC’s major achievements this year revolved around the state-owned firm’s economic strategy – the 8-Point Agenda: 1) International Standard Business Center, 2) Participative Management Concept, 3) Parallel Development Program, 4) Pro-Active Coordination with CIAC-DMIA, 5) Clark-Subic Synergy, 6) Tourism Development, 7) Strengthening of After Sales Services, and 8) Corporate Social Responsibility.

The CDC 8-point agenda, Ricafort said, is a roadmap for Clark’s greater progress in achieving its 3-2-1 goal, which translates as $3 billion investments, $2 billion annual exports and 100,000-strong employment by 2014. (Mark Anthony Manuel)