BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines (PNA) – Ten local government units (LGUs) in Western Visayas have core shelters being built under the auspices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Julian Ledesma of the DSWD Regional Office 6, said since July, 2010, the agency has been releasing funds for the core shelter projects now being implemented in the 10 LGUs in Western Visayas which were badly hit by typhoon Frank in 2008 leaving a number of their residents homeless.

DINAGYANG WILL BE HELD, RAIN OR SHINE

ILOILO CITY, Philippines (PNA) – The Dinagyang Festival highlights will go on as scheduled despite the rainy weather forecasted this Sunday.

This was declared by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa ) forecasted that the city will have intermittent rains on Sunday.

The city mayor said rains will not dampen the spirit and religiosity of the Ilonggos as Dinagyang, held in honor of patron saint Sr. Santo Niño, reaches its climax on Sunday.

Slated will be the hotly vied Atiatihan competition participated in by 14 dancing groups.

ILOILO EYES PEACE AND ORDER COUNCILS

ILOILO CITY, Philippines (PNA) – The city government of Iloilo plans to put up a peace and order council in every district in this metropolis to address the spate of criminality plaguing the city.

Such a council, to be created in each of Iloilo City’s six districts was proposed in a resolution sponsored by City Councilor Joshua Alim and was unanimously approved by members of the Iloilo City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) in its recent meeting here.

Members of the CPOC chaired by Iloilo City Mayo Jed Patrick Mabilog with Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) regional director Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr. and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Paul Ledesma are one in unanimously approving Alim’s proposal.

ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL A SUCCESS

KALIBO, Aklan, Philippines (PNA) – The recently concluded celebration of Señior Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival 2011 in Kalibo, Aklan was a success and generally peaceful and orderly.

This was the initial assessment made by Aklan Provincial Police Office (APPO) officer-in-charge, Supt. Samuel C. Nacion.

Although there were some petty incidents reported such as pick- pocketing, snatching and commotions, these did not in any way affect the festivity’s general peace and order atmosphere.

D.O.L.E. PROGRAM BENEFITS ILOILO TOWNS

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines (PNA) – Twenty-five towns in Iloilo province are recipients of the Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement And Local Service (RN Heals) program that intends to send out unemployed nurses to poor communities.

Amy Judicpa of the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Regional Office 6 said that their recruitment for registered nurses who are willing to work under the RN Heals program started Jan. 17 until Feb. 4.