TAYTAY, Rizal, Philippines — Leaders and elders of the Muslim community here have assured the police that they are 100 percent behind the drive of the police here to maintain peace and order in their villages.

The pledge of community leaders comes amid high alert over possible retaliatory attacks by terrorists to avenge the recent death of al-Qaeda terror network leader, Osama bin Laden.

In the “Ugnayan sa Barangay” dialogue the other day, Muslim leaders said the 5,000 residents of Lupang Arienda here will cooperate for peace. (Nel B. Andrade)

Natonin Fiesta kicks off today

NATONIN, Mountain Province — This remote highland town kicks off today the 4th Sas-Aliwa Festival which will run until May 14, showcasing its unique culture and traditions as well as its scenic tourist destinations.

The Sas-Aliwa was coined during the term of former Mayor Marie Rafael-Banaag who envisioned this municipality not only as a producer of “fuwi” – abaca fibers used for ropes and woven products – but also as an eco-tourism destination.

The festival will be highlighted by sports competitions and trips to its virgin forests. (Dexter A. See)

AFAB tweaks labor standards

MARIVELES, Bataan — The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) in Region 3 and the Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) signed recently a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Labor Standards Compliant Zone (LSCZ).

Bataan Labor and Employment Officer III Carlito G. Agbing said some significant features of the MoU is the promotion of the culture of voluntary compliance to existing labor standards by all business sectors and ethics of self regulation by using a system of self-monitoring.

Partners in the implementation of this labor framework are the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. (Mar T. Supnad)

PIA web page promoted

DAGUPAN CITY – Regional and provincial offices of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) have gone full-swing in promoting the PIA OFW Watch web page throughout the country in a bid to keep families of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) updated with their loved ones abroad.

The PIA launched recently the PIA OFW Watch web page on Facebook in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

PIA Director-General Jose A. Fabia said it aims to assist and help improve the working condition of OFWs. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

Tribal folk's registration on

INFANTA, Quezon – The Local Civil Registrar’s Office is conducting a free birth registration for an indigenous tribe in REINA (Real-Infanta- Gen. Nakar) town part of Northern Quezon.

The free birth registration, which started on May 3 and runs until May 31 this year, is being conducted at the Infanta Social Center, here.

Quezon Governor David Suarez said the purpose of the program is to register tribal people in order to extend to them support programs of the government such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. (Danny Estacio)