BATAC CITY, Philippines — Former First Lady and now Rep. Imelda R. Marcos (2nd District – Ilocos Norte) has formally opened a museum that houses all the memoirs of her husband, the late President Fedinand E. Marcos, in a simple ceremony here.

The opening ceremony coincided with the celebration of Mrs. Marcos’s 82nd birthday attended by Marcos loyalists all over the country and political leaders from the province and Cebu last Saturday. In an interview, Mrs. Marcos accepted the decision of President Aquino rejecting the proposal of Vice President Jejomar Binay for full military honors to be given for the late president’s burial somewhere in Ilocos Norte. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

Lamps disposed

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — At least 5,178 Busted Fluorescent Lamps (BFLs) were safely disposed the other day in the Freeport here, following a joint effort by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Environmental Practitioners Association.

Angelo “Sonny” Lopez, manager of CDC Public Affairs and Media Office, said the CDC Environment Management Department headed by Red Fuentes successfully disposed the BFLs containing mercury, a known toxic substance which when not disposed properly can contaminate the environment and pose serious health and safety risks. (Franco G. Regala)

Drivers' honesty

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Seven tricycle drivers operating in this city were recently given a “Huwaran Award” by the City Government and New Tricycle Operator Driver Federation Inc. for returning valuables left by passengers in their tricycles over the past several days.

Recognized during the awarding ceremony of the 10th Matagoan Festival and 4th City Anniversary of Tabuk were Julius Abalos, Marcelino Belmonte, Benjamin Tabuso, Jeremias Evangelista, Marcelo Guillermo, John Michael Fallet and Clynx Gerald Belgica. (Dexter See)

Fishpen policy

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The provincial government has warned local government units and the public that no fishpen policy will be strictly implemented in the whole province especially in Caquipotan Channel in Anda and Bolinao.
The directive was issued by Gov. Amado Espino Jr. after a dialogue and consultation among the aquaculture stakeholders based in Bolinao and the town of Anda at the El Picador Resort in Bolinao on Wednesday.

Espino said the Caquipotan Channel in Bolinao and Anda is now at a critical level where mud is now on knee-high. (Liezle Basa Inigo)

Tectonic quake

VIGAN CITY — A 4.3-magnitude tectonic earthquake hit the provinces of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte Thursday morning but no damage was reported, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Local Phivolcs Researcher Porferio De Peralta, who is based in Sinait, Ilocos Sur, said the 4.3-magnitude quake occurred at 6:58 a.m. Thursday with its epicenter located at 49 km northwest of Vigan City with a depth of 9 km. (Freddie G. Lazaro)