BANGUED, Abra, Philippines – The officers of the Abra River Irrigators Association (ARIA) clarified issues surrounding the shortage of water in the service area as they gave assurance of facilitating the flow of water to the entire service area as soon as possible considering the expected serious negative effects of the upcoming dry season to the water supply of the Abra river which traces its headwaters from the Mount Data National Park in Mountain Province.

Bartolome Escalante, manager of ARIA based in barangay Angad, here said they have already undertaken earth movements to divert the flow of the Abra River at the intake located in Sitio Mabucag, barangay Bumagcat, Tayum to ensure that more water would come in into the irrigation system that will provide sufficient water for the province’s lucrative agriculture sector and ensure the abundant supply of agricultural crops being raised in the different parts of the province in the coming months. (Dexter A. See)

3 Cavite towns get firetrucks

Three towns in an upland district of Cavite will have their own fire truck soon, a top provincial fire official said yesterday. Senior Supt. Armando B. Custodio, Cavite fire director, said that Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo has pledged to provide Magallanes, General Emilio Aguinaldo, and Ternate the much-needed fire trucks in a recent meeting with mayors and other local officials in the three areas. The three towns are the only areas in populous Cavite that do not have their own fire station and trucks. (Anthony Giron)

Indian Naval ships in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Five Indian Naval Ships (INS) with some 1,400 naval crew members recently docked at the Alava Pier of this premier Freeport after conducting a five-day joint naval exercise with the Singapore Navy at the South China Sea.

The five ships, under the command of Rear Admiral Harish Chandra Singh Bisht, arrived yesterday at the Alava Pier to replenish supplies while its crew get some time for rest and relaxation. (Jonas Reyes)

Mount Ugo climb set

ITOGON, Benguet – The municipal government here is now polishing all the preparations and plans for the 9th Mt. Ugo Summer Climb event set on April 8 to 10 with the theme, “Mountain Leisure Amidst Climate Change”.

Local officials and concerned tourism stakeholders promised a more exciting adventure for this year’s Mt. Ugo climb which will continue to uplift the booming tourism industry of the town which will serve as an alternative tourism destination once foreign and domestic tourists will flock to Baguio City. (Dexter A. See)

Holiday in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN – It will be a special non-working holiday in Pangasinan on April 5 marking the 431st Foundation Day anniversary of the province dubbed as Agew na Pangasinan under Proclamation No. 103 of the Office of the President of the Philippines in Malacañang.

President Benigno S. Aquino III through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., said it is but fitting and proper that the people of the Pangasinan be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies. (Liezle Basa Inigo)