RODRIGUEZ, Rizal — Some 300 residents of Barangay Rosario, here availed themselves of various services provided by the municipal government through its one-stop-shop project, “Mayor Ko, Abot Kamay Ko,” recently.

The project was taken to Barangay Rosario with the visit of Mayor Cecilio Hernandez, providing a medical mission, tricycle franchising, business permit registration of the Transportation and Traffic Management Office (TTRAMO), free legal legal consultation of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), free cooking lessons, a feeding program, police assistance and discussion on municipal and jail drug concerns. (Madelynne Dominguez)

All 61 survive 30-ft. bus fall
PAGBILAO, Quezon — All 61 passengers of a bus that plunged into a 30-foot ravine survived miraculously even as 39 of them were injured in Barangay Silangang Malicboy, this town, Monday morning.

Chief Inspector Francis Pasno, Pagbilao chief of police, said the injured were taken to the nearby Jane County Hospital.

Payno said the Manila-bound Eagle Bus (THP-443), with 61 passengers from Ormoc, suddenly lost its brakes and fell into the ravine while engaging a downhill curve along the Old Zigzag Road near the jamboree site of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines at 7:30 a.m. (Danny Estacio and Ferdinand F. Castro)

Banaue imposes ban on smoking
BANAUE, Ifugao — The municipal government has imposed a ban on smoking in government offices, public and private schools premises and public utility vehicles in support of the Department of Health’s (DoH) campaign.

The passage of the municipal ordinance banning smoking in public places is in support to the unrelenting effort to protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of tobacco products.

Any violator of the provisions of the anti-smoking ordinance will be penalized with a fine of P100 which will be outrightly paid to the municipal treasury office. Repeat offenders face tougher penalties, including imprisonment. (Dexter A. See)

P.N.P. beware of 'textmates'
PILAR, Bataan — The Philippine National Police (PNP) reiterated its warning against strange textmates yesterday, following the holdup of a pretty woman by a fellow who befriended via cellphone messages over the weekend.

Senior Inspector Emelito M. dela Cruz, Pilar chief of police, said a certain “Joy,” 27, of San Vicente, Orion, was held up by her textmate when they met.

Lucky for her, police arrested the suspect, identified by Dela Cruz as Joner Garcia, 24, of Sitio Kapampangan, Sta. Rosa, here. Dela Cruz said the suspect allegedly divested the victim of P3,000 and her cell phone at gunpoint. (Mar T. Supnad)

Arroyo lauds I.D. system plan
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — Former President-turned-Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of this province’s 2nd District lauded Monday the Pampanga Peace and Order Council’s (PPOC’s) proposal to implement a barangay identification (ID) system to fight crime and monitor transients in the province.

Governor Lilia G. Pineda, as head of the PPOC, made the recommendation as she vowed to support the Police Provincial Office in its anti-crime crackdown. (Franco G. Regala)