SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga, Philippines – The provincial government of Pampanga and charted city of Angeles announced Friday the formal declaration of June 15, 2011 as a special non-working holiday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

Congress had earlier approved House Bill 3948, declaring June 15 of every year as a special non-working holiday for Pampanga and its cities on the occasion of Mt. Pinatubo Memorial Day, said Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales. Gov. Lilia Pineda said her tourism office is preparing week-long activities for the occasion. (Franco Regala)

Rizal workers get special bonus

ANTIPOLO, Rizal — Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares III announced recently that a supplemental budget to cover the anniversary bonus of all regular, contractual and casual employees of the provincial government, has been approved and will be given to them in recognition of their continued and dedicated service as public servants.

The provincial budget officer said the budget for this year’s bonus is about P5.16 million to cover all of the 1,720 employees. Each employee whether regular, contractual or casual, will receive P3,000 by June this year. (DCC).

National Flag Day in Malolos

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — A sentimental celebration of National Flag Day will be held Saturday on Capitol grounds here, led by Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice-Governor Daniel R. Fernando.

Officials said the occasion is not just a celebration of patriotism but a reliving of the first unfurling of the Philippine National Flag on local soil after the Battle of Alapan in Imus, Cavite – where the Philippine Revolutionary Army led by General Emilio Aguinaldo defeated the Spanish Army on May 28, 1898. Beginning Saturday all government offices and private edifices, even houses, are enjoined to display the Philippine flag. (Freddie C. Velez)

Subic-Olongapo bridge to open

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced Thursday that the new Kalaklan-Lighthouse Bridge, which has been under construction since June last year, is on schedule for a July 5 opening.

Lawyer Ramon Agregado, SBMA senior deputy administrator for support services, said the completion of the P200-million bridge project is one of the four bridges connecting the free port zone to Olongapo City and will give commuters and pedestrians a big relief. (Jonas Reyes)

Vargas leads passers in PESE

DINALUPIHAN, Bataan — The chief of police here led other police superintendents in passing the Police Executive Service Eligibility (PESE) given by the National Police Commission (Napolcom), it was learned Friday. Supt. Enrico Vargas, a graduate of PNPA class 1992, was the only PNP officer in Bataan who took and passed the PESE, a requirement for promotion to next higher rank.

Among the examinees who got top ratings were FBI-trained Supt. Harris Fama, former chief of police of Lingayen, Pangasinan; Supt. Sterling Blanco, former chief of Laoag City, among others. Napolcom said only 157 of the 328 police superintendents who took the PESE written examination last December made it to the next phase of the examination process. (Mar T. Supnad)