MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija — The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) based here recommended Tuesday the release of two inbred rice (palay) varieties to give rice farmers in irrigated lowlands more options in choosing varieties suited for their area.

The Technical Working Group of the National Seed Industry Council recommended the release of NSIC Rc224 (Tubigan 19) and NSIC Rc226 (Tubigan 20) after the varieties showed better performance than the varieties PSB Rc82 and PSB Rc18 during the multi-location adaptation trials.

Emily C. Arocena, one of the varieties' breeders, said NSIC Rc224 yielded an 11.5 and 7 percent advantage over PSB Rc82 and PSB Rc18, respectively. (Franco G. Regala)

Cold weather draws tourists
BAGUIO CITY — The continuing cold weather in this mountain resort city is serving as an added bonus in attracting more foreign and domestic tourists.

Since the first day of the month, which also marked the opening of the 16th edition of Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival, the coldest temperature ranged from 9.5 degrees Celsius during the early mornings while the warmest temperature was registered by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to be from 17 to 26 degrees Celsius.

Local hoteliers reported that almost all hotels, inns and transient houses around the city and even in the neighboring town of La Trinidad, Benguet have reported almost full occupancy since the early part of last month. (Dexter See)

Tax-mapping plan ordered
SAN FERNANDO — Pampanga Gov. Lilia G. Pineda ordered the provincial assessor’s office in the province yesterday to fast track the conduct of a tax-mapping project in the province’s 20 municipalities and one city.

She required the assessor to have it completed by June this year.

The governor made this statement during the one-day consultative meeting on real property tax administration and provincial tax-mapping project. (Franco G. Regala)

Baguio sees 110% rise in revenues
BAGUIO CITY — The city government here posted a 110.9 percent rise in local revenues.

Based on data obtained from the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), the city treasury office was able to collect P564.47 million in real property taxes, business tax, fees and charges for a collection efficiency rating of 110.9 percent, considering that the target tax collection for the whole year of 2010 was P508.9 million.

It was reported that in 2010, the city treasury office was able to collect P226.22 million from business tax, P201.61 million from real property tax, P60.95 million from fees and charges and P60.9 million from economic enterprises. (Dexter See)

P.N.P.  to render quality service
BAGUIO CITY — The Philippine National Police (PNP) aims to extend customer satisfaction to its clientele in the different regional, provincial, city and municipal police stations through its quality service lane that will immediately address issues and concerns being brought by the people for immediate police action.

This was announced by Cordillera Information Officer Police Supt. Leon Tallo during the regular Talakayan sa Issue ng Police over DzEQ Radyo ng Bayan Baguio recently. (Dexter See)