AFAB, Bataan, Philippines – The recent successful launching of an environmental protection campaign aimed at protecting and preserving the unique beauty of Tarak Peak, the highest mountain range which serves also as watershed in this industrial town has created an environmental awareness with the support showed by government officials and private individuals.

The environmental awareness campaign was actually initiated by typhoon victim resident of Metro Manila Dennis B. Cuarto who launched the Tarak Travel and Events Koordinator (TREK) in his bid to drum up support for environmental protection.

Albay first to ban plastic

LEGAZPI CITY – To further push the ecological thrust of the province of Albay, a ban on the use of plastic bag will be implemented as the provincial government recently informed various sectors of the ordinance. According to Albay Governor Joey Salceda, the full enforcement of the banning of plastic bags in the province will start on March next year while the information drive that started yesterday is being led by Sangguniang Panlalawigan board member Arnold Embestro.

Salceda said that the country should learn from the China experience wherein bookstores and pharmacies are refrained from giving ‘white pollution’ (plastic bags) to customers, while supermarkets have to charge for shopping bags since 2008. (Jonas Reyes)

Balanga Banks have P7B deposits

Various commercial banks operating in the City of Balanga, Bataan has more than R7-B cash deposits, indicating traders’ confidence in the city, a top official said. Balanga City mayor Joet S. Garcia cited the fresh pouring in of various

investments in Balanga, now the investor-friendly city in Central Luzon. Garcia, son of Gov. Tet Garcia, also said that Super market giants–Robinsons and Pure Gold – are set to pour in their investments in the Component city of Balanga, noting perhaps the growing economic activities of this city in Bataan. (Mar T. Supnad)

Cordillera hospitals are smoke-free

BAGUIO CITY – Pursuant to the worldwide effort to make public places from the hazards of the environment, the Cordillera office of the Department of Health (DOH) here declared that all the 58 hospitals in the different parts of the region are already smoke-free.

Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, (DOH-CAR) regional director, announced that the region has attained 100 percent smoke- free environment in the different hospitals in the region with two nominated to the prestigious Red Orchids Awards 2011. (Dexter A. See)

Batangas investigates Taal fish kill

BATANGAS CITY – Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos Recto yesterday dispatched teams from the provincial government to assist the local government units affected by the fish kill. Jing Segismundo, Batangas provincial information officer said the provincial government has sent two back hoes and dump trucks to the area affected, like towns of Talisay, Laurel and Agoncillo, where the bulk of the almost 800 metric ton-fish kill occurred, to speed up the digging of disposal sites.

The fish kill which was noticed and happened last May 27 is a result of a natural phenomenon known as a lake overturn. Recto said the Task Force and Local Government Units (LGU's) may have to penalize operators who will dumped dead fishes into the lake. (Ferdinand F. Castro)