TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) – Soldiers in Eastern Visayas were shocked and saddened by the death of their former Armed Forces Chief of Staff and Department of National Defense Secretary Angelo T. Reyes.

Col. Oscar Lopez, commanding officer of the 803rd Infantry Brigade based in Catarman, Northern Samar said all military camps in the region including their main base in Catbalogan, Samar, will have flags flown at half mast as a sign of respect to their fallen former chief.

Lopez expressed disbelief about the way Reyes died. He said he never expected the former AFP Chief of Staff to take his own life.

D.E.N.R. Capiz to enforce E.O. 23
ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) – Despite the opposition of businessmen engaged in the wood industry in Capiz, officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Capiz are determined to enforce the provisions of EO23.

According to DENR Provincial head Dionisio Molina Jr., the Executive Order of President Benigno S. Aquino III plays a very vital role in addressing the problem on global warming and climate change which the people worldwide are experiencing at present.

Molina added that although there are people who will be affected by this order, such as lumber dealers, those in the furniture business and the like, the general welfare of the people must be the primordial consideration. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

Take less sugar, D.T.I. advises consumers
KALIBO, Aklan (PNA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging consumers to go slow on sugar intake for health considerations, even as the agency monitored a P3 per kilo hike in sugar prices here.

DTI provincial director Diosdado Cadena said from P65 per kilo, price of sugar has gone up to P68.

"Because of this, we urge consumers to take less sugar as this is more healthy for them," Cadena said.

A slight increase in the price of bread and some other basic commodities has also been observed by the DTI. The agency is warning against selling overpriced basic commodities to consumers here.

Bacolod City , U.N.D.O.C. hold dialogue
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ. (PIA) – The Bacolod city government recently held a dialogue with officials of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Cooperative (UNDOC) to thresh out concerns and resolve issues affecting the latter’s sector.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia led the dialogue with UNDOC Secretary General Jessie Ortega and 11 other UNDOC drivers at the New Government Center where various concerns involving the UNDOC members’ individual rights and economic situation and Bacolod’s perennial traffic problem were taken up.

PhilPost offers Valentine specials
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) will be offering special services to mark Valentine's.

Starting Thursday until Valentine's Day, Cebu Central, Mandaue Central and Lapulapu Central Post Offices will be offering fresh flowers and other gift items at very affordable prices inclusive of delivery within selected areas in Cebu City.

Philpost 7 Information Officer Rachel Betos said this special project is not only to gain revenue but also to inform that the post office is there for “our clients in any occasion throughout the year.”