LAMUT, Ifugao, Philippines — Smokers would now have to be self-disciplined when visiting this town as the local government imposed a ban on smoking in government offices, public school premises and public utility vehicles. The passage of the municipal ordinance banning smoking in public places is in support to the anti-smoking campaign and the unrelenting effort of the Local Government Unit (LGU) to protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of tobacco products which are widely sold in almost all parts of the world. (Dexter A. See)

LUCENA HOSTS O.F.W. SEMINAR

LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines — Seventy-three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) forced to return home due to crises in different parts of the Middle East were given a seminar on business in this town, recently. The two-day business seminar was given by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) office based here and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). “The purpose of said business plan is for lending capital to prospective business as required by OWWA”, said DTI-Quezon's Pablito Budoy, as he explained the government support mechanism for displaced OFWs who need income. (Danny Estacio)

HUMANITARIAN WORK LAUDED

BACOLOR, Pampanga, Philippines — Archbishop Paciano Aniceto on Saturday expressed support for the continuous Walking Free Program and other humanitarian pro-poor programs by the Kapampangan Development Foundation (KDF) and the JA Datu Memorial Medical Center (JADMMC) in Pampanga. Aniceto cited the work of the two groups particularly in helping amputees gain artificial legs in Bacolor, Pampanga, which is a place still rebuilding from the ruins of the lahar devastation two decades ago. JADMMC was established by KDF, the Datu Angeles David Foundation and a group of American physicians to conduct regular medical missions and social and health services in the area. (Franco G. Regala)

ANTIPOLO BALL STAYS ALIVE

ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines — Easter Sunday here is traditionally marked with dancing cotillion-style by the youth as part of the Lenten activity to end the Holy Week. Dubbed “Kapitanes y Kapitan,” this unique Antipolo tradition which dates back to the 1920s gathers the youth of the city represented by two pairs of male and female teenagers known as kapitan and kapitanes uno and dos, respectively, in a merry ball at the city park. The kapitanes and the kapitans, are tasked to carry the pontifical emblem; paschal candle, and the flag of the church during the Easter Vigil Mass. Traditionally, the two pairs transfer their role and responsibilities to the new set of kapitans and kapitanes on Easter Sunday. (Nel B. Andrade)

3 VESSELS HELD FOR POACHING

Three foreign fishing vessels were apprehended by elements of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Northern Luzon last Good Friday for poaching in Philippine waters, the PCG reported on Saturday. Captain George Ursabia, Coast Guard Northern Luzon (CGNLZ) district commander, said the three fishing vessels came from Kaoshiong, Taiwan and reportedly entered Philippine territorial waters off Bolinao, Pangasinan. A total of seven Taiwanese and 21 local fishermen onboard M/V JVPhil 2, 6, and 7 were arrested after the incident. (John Carlo M. Cahinhinan)