LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — Despite the increasing frost damage to vast tracts of vegetable farms in highly elevated areas like this province, government officials said there is no need to import vegetables from China.

The provincial and municipal governments claimed the frost damage on vegetables in Atok, Buguias, Kibugan, Mankayan and some parts of Tuba as well as Bauko, Mountain Province do not generally affect the supply of vegetables that are being brought to the various markets in the lowlands and Metro Manila areas.

While the Department of Agriculture continues to downplay the effects of frost to the steady supply of highland vegetables, farmers in Benguet and Mountain Province said their harvest can sustain the need of the market. (Dexter A. See)

DISEASES FROM POLLUTION RAISED

ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines — Residents near Sitio Tibagan and Sitio Rissa here are getting sick and they believe this is caused by the alleged dumping of chemicals in the creek and river that emit a foul odor.

In a letter to Rizal Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Vicente Cabrera, residents of the two sitios are asking for an investigation into the operation of Junni Industries, a manufacturer of pipes in Sitio Tibagan, Barangay San Jose, here.

The 73 signatories in the letter claim that the factory is allegedly responsible for discharging pollutants in the creek.

Henry Espayos, Chairman of the Antipolo City Hall Annex said some 100 other residents near HDR Farm in Sitio Rissa are also complaining that the air in their area is being polluted allegedly by particles from chicken and pig dung. (Madelynne Dominguez)

DOLE HIRES 96 STORM SURVIVORS

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) in partnership with the local government units of this municipality and Kiangan recently hired 96 workers under its Emergency Employment Program (EEP) to provide them with a descent source of livelihood while they are coping with the serious negative effects of recent weather disturbances that resulted to their displacement.

The workers all came from families who were gravely affected by the onslaught of typhoon “Juan” October last year destroying their homes and farmlands.

They will work for 30 days and they will be paid commensurate with their work so that they will be able to earn sufficient income for their families. (Dexter A. See)

BUCAYU CITES 2 POLICE OFFICERS

CAMP FLORENDO, Philippines — Chief Superintendent Franklin J.B. Bucayu, Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) director, cited Monday the bravery of Police Officer 3 Sherwin Cuenta and PO2 Roderick Ballesca, even as he reiterated earlier his directive to intensify PRO1’s campaign against hired killers and other criminal elements riding in tandem on motorcycles.

PO3 Cuenta was wounded while PO2 Ballesca was killed in a shoot-out with suspected members of a gun-for-hire syndicate.

It was recalled that three alleged hitmen operating in the 5th and 6th Districts of Pangasinan were arrested following the shootout with Region 1 police personnel at Barangay San Mariano, Santa Maria, Pangasinan last Friday.

Police identified the arrested suspects as Larry Garasin, a native of Ilocos Norte; Nelson Navarro, of Barangay San Mariano in Santa Maria; and Caesar Vergara, of Umingan, Pangasinan. (Freddie C. Velez)