TAYTAY, Rizal, Philippines — A free cup or two of hot coffee is helping police here ease tension among people with concerns at the police station.

This came as Chief Inspector Arthur Masungsong, chief of police of the more than 90 uniformed personnel assigned in this town put up a coffee corner at the police headquarters on L. Wood Street since he assumed office last December.

Masungsong said the big coffee dispenser provides free-flowing coffee to people who visit the police station be it day or night.

A coffee table with chairs near the entrance of the police station serves as the coffee corner where people can enjoy a free caffeine fix while their concerns are being attended to by police officers. (Nel B. Andrade)

HOSPITALS UNDERGO UPGRADING – PINEDA

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Philippines — Governor Lilia G. Pineda started the upgrading and rehabilitation of district hospitals as she recently led the ground-breaking of additional buildings to be constructed at the Andres G. Luciano Memorial Hospital (formerly known as Balitucan District Hospital) in Magalang town and the Macabebe District Hospital.

Pineda also led the inauguration of the two-storey building at the San Luis District Hospital.

The upgrading and rehabilitation of the said district hospitals are aimed at providing efficient and effective health services to Pampangueños. (Franco G. Regala)

P1.1-M MARIJUANA SEIZED IN BUS

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Dried marijuana leaves in brick form were recovered by alert police operatives and anti-narcotics agents inside a Baguio-bound passenger bus that came all the way from Kibungan, Benguet, one of the identified marijuana-producing towns in the region, at the Dangwa bus terminal along Rajah Matanda Street here Wednesday.

Senior Superintendent Roberto Quinto Soriano, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera, revealed the 20 bricks of marijuana weighing more or less 20 kilos and an estimated market value of P1.1 million were placed in a box that was left by a still unidentified male person inside the bus in Poblacion, Kibungan town. (Dexter A. See)

P100-M FUND FOR A.I.D.S. DRIVE SEEN

CAVITE, Philippines – An initial fund of P100 million will be needed to keep the prevention and awareness program for HIV-AIDS in Cavite going.

Provincial Health Office (PHO) Medical Officer III Gerardo S. Alcantara made the fund estimate as he recommended the creation of Provincial Council for HIV-AIDS following a report from the Department of Health (DoH) that Cavite is one of the three provinces with the highest number of PLHIV (people living with HIV) in the country. (Anthony Giron)

LATE LADY GOV REMEMBERED

PANGASINAN, Philippines – Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. as represented by his brother Board Member Amadeo Espino and former Governor Conrado F. Estrella Sr. led other provincial officials of Pangasinan in paying homage to Nancy Q. Sison, the first woman Governor of the Philippines in a necrological service accorded to her at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall last January 10.

The death of Nancy Q. Sison who passed away last January 3 brought together prominent figures in the political arena of Pangasinan who unanimously referred to the late public servant as an epitome of beauty, brains and excellence. (Mar T. Supnad)