CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) Monday started to deploy its personnel to Nueva Ecija’s 27 towns and five cities to intensify the information campaign on proper waste disposal and environmental management to prevent the upsurge of dengue.

Dr. Benjamin Lopez, PHO chief, disclosed a sharp increase in dengue cases in the province in 2010, reaching 2,158 with nine reported deaths. (Franco Regala)

P.N.P. in Region I cited
CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City, La Union – The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Director General Raul M. Bacalzo, had his first command visit here in Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1).

The visit coincided with the awarding ceremony for deserving PRO1 personnel and stakeholders.

PRO1 director Chief Superintendent Franklin Jesus B. Bucayu led his personnel in formally welcoming the chief PNP with a traditional arrival honors. (Dexter See)

Pampanga releases P50 M
SAN FERNANDO CITY – Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda yesterday approved the P50 million allocation for the agriculture sector in the province to give farmers opportunities to adopt new techniques and technologies.

The governor said she wants to empower farmers for them to become partners in development.

Pineda said “ang gusto natin ay makatulong ang mga farmers sa pag-identify ng mga programa, kasi sila ang higit na nakakaalam sa kanilang mga pangangailangan. Basta tayo ay nakahandang tumulong sa abot ng ating makakaya para sa mas magandang ani.” (Franco Regala)

O.F.W. desk in Pangasinan
PANGASINAN – A member of the Provincial Board has proposed creation of the OFWs Desk in the province and later may be adopted nationwide is very timely that more Filipino workers abroad are getting into trouble.

Board Member Ranjit Ramos Shahani of the 6th district, initiated the proposed creation of OFWs desk at the Capitol thru a provincial ordinance.

In an ordinance it is said that thousands of Pangasinenses travel to work abroad, some with uncertainties of what will they encounter, others are haunted by said experiences and injustices like unpaid salaries, physical and psychological abuse, undue confinement, confiscation of passports, and sexual abuse. (Liezle Basa Inigo)

Kalinga climate changes
TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The worldwide climate change phenomenon and the global financial crisis are now taking their toll on the world famous and lucrative white water rafting activities along the stretch of the Chico River which is the province’s main tourism drawer.

While water rafting pioneers in the different parts of the province are now disappointed since the prevalence of climate change or the unpredictable weather condition has greatly affected their business and the scheduling of rafting and spelunking along the stretch of the Chico river due to its low water level.

During the past years, rafting peaks during the months of September to December when the rapids are most exhilarating. (Dexter See)