NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development has allocated R78.3 million for the province’s supplemental feeding program this year. Already, the agency has distributed cooking and eating utensils to 1,668 day care centers serving 65,245 preschool children in the province.

In Bacolod City, the DSWD turned over to Mayor Evelio Leonardia a check for R1.6 million or 30 percent of the R5.6 million total fund allocated for the city for the supplemental feeding of 4,646 day care preschool children. The feeding program ensures that preschool day care children are able to get proper nutrition through food provided in addition to their regular meals.

Aklanons urged to undergo validation

KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) — Aklanons should validate their registration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) or face the prospect of being removed from the official voters’ list.

Particularly urged to validate are those with no biometrics. Comelec Regional Director, Atty. Dennis Ausan said having biometrics is important since in the next election, voters will be identified through pictures and their biometrics which will appear on the voters’ list.

Voters validation is ongoing until October 31, 2012. Once validated, Comelec will then provide voters with identification cards.

Council wants helmet law applied

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ. (PIA) — The Bacolod City Peace and Order Council called for strict implementation and apprehension of non-helmet wearing motorcycle riders in the city, including policemen and other men in uniform. Bacolod City Police Director Ricardo De la Paz vowed to impose the law equally on everyone.

Driving a motorcycle without a helmet is a violation of R.A. 10054, or the helmet law, which also prohibits children below 10 years to ride on. From May 15 to June 15 this year, the BCPO apprehended 43 non-helmet wearing motorcycle drivers fined R150 each giving the city treasurer R6,450 in collections.

Waterless CR in Dumaguete market

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — The Dumaguete City government Wednesday had blest the state -of-the-art waterless comfort rooms it built at Dumaguete Public Market’s Building 1. Such waterless rest rooms are censor-operated, and are equipped with hand soap and toilet paper.

Other sanitary needs like napkins, tissue paper and others will also be available through a machine at very minimal prices. Fortin said, a R2 usage fee will be collected per use of the CR. Such comfort room caters to male users only as the one for women have yet to undergo renovation.

DepEd Southern Leyte joins NGP

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) — In the next three years, the Department of Education (DepEd) Southern Leyte Schools Divison will join government’s National Greening Program (NGP) initiatives which will eventually result to green environment friendly schools throughout the province.

A planned activity is fruit-bearing tree planting by Grades 5 and 6 pupils, high school students and teachers, DepEd Senior Supervisor Teresita Marquez said, adding that each participant/ student is required to plant at least ten seedlings in vacant lots, giving priority to their respective school compounds.