BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo clarified that Tabuk, the capital town of Kalinga and 15 other new cities which were earlier created under the law will remain as component cities of their respective provinces until such time that the constitutionality of the laws that created them shall have been resolved with finality by the Supreme Court (SC).

Robredo issued a memorandum to this effect and as such Tabuk is still considered the second city in the Cordillera Administrative Region and referred to as such in various communications and have two additional members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, as well. (Dexter A. See)

DOCTORS AID POOR PATIENTS

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – A medical mission, involving a foreign surgical team specializing on cleft palate operations, is now being conducted in the province for the benefit of indigent patients.

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. said the medical mission began last January 23 and will run until February 4, offering medical, surgical and dental aides at various hospitals.

It is conducted by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in collaboration with German Interplast, the Philippine Medical Society of Florida, Inc. and the UP-MASA-California. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

CAR LOST THEN FOUND IN CAINTA

ANGONO Rizal, Philippines – Carnappers struck anew in this province Thursday, driving off in a white Mitsubishi Adventure (UBV-470) owned by one Sonny Abelado in Cainta.

Police Officer 3 Percival Pineda, case investigator, said the vehicle was stolen while parked in front of Abelado’s residence around 6:40 p.m. Thursday on Sampaguita Street in Barangay San Andres.

Lucky for Abelado, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) was quick to respond, forcing the carnappers to abandon the vehicle an hour later on Don Mariano Santos Avenue in Barangay San Isidro, Cainta. (Madelynne Dominguez)

P4 M EARMARKED FOR PANAGBENGA

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The city government earmarked a total of P4 million to support the staging of the 16th Panagbenga, popularly known as the Baguio Flower Festival, to ensure that the activities lined up for the month-long celebration will be to the pleasure of local residents and visitors.

Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said the city government will shell out only P2 million while the other P2 million will come from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara. He said merrymakers can expect to witness spectacular performances and world-class floral arrangements and landscaping. (Dexter A. See)

PINEDA SUPPORTS ANTI-CRIME DRIVE

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga, Philippines – Governor Lilia Pineda has ordered the police force, mayors, barangay chairmen, and other law enforcers in the province to put their act together in curbing the high incidence of carnapping and other crimes.

Pineda, in a meeting with municipal mayors, chiefs of the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday, said she wants them to map out effective strategies to fight crime and assured them that the Capitol will support them with motorcycles and vehicles for their operations. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)