SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Vehicular traffic in the Subic Bay area is expected to ease down starting July 11, as motorists from Zambales would be able to pass through the new Kalaklan Bridge and Security Plaza, which was closed down for repair starting last year. Armand Arreza, administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said the bridge will be permanently opened to commuters and pedestrians on July 11, ending the construction of the SBMA-funded project.

The Kalaklan Bridge, considered the free port’s gateway to Zambales, is the primary component of the P218.84-million New Kalaklan Bridge and Security Plaza Project, which was started on January 5, 2010. (Franco Regala)

D.O.E. gives lamps to Baguio 

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  — The Department of Energy will be donating more than 575 energy saving sodium lamps to the city government which will be used to light up major parks in the city that will help enhance the growth of the local tourism industry.

The 575 energy saving sodium lamps is part of the energy department’s acquisition of lamps that will be distributed in the different parts of the country in order to help in lighting up the different public places, especially in tourist destinations.

Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara disclosed the sodium plans will be installed by technical people of the energy department around the 34-hectare Burnham Park, the horseback riding area popu-larly known as Wright Park and around the Presidential Mansion. (Dexter A. See)

B.I.R. Bataan tops revenue collections

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — The Bureau of Internal Revenue here was always top in generating revenue for the past several months.

Roberto S. Bucoy, Revenue District Officer (RDO) of the Bureau of Internal Revenue here, has reported that the Bataan RDO has surpassed its collection target for the first five consecutive months, this year, breaking the collection record in the region.

But Bucoy also attributed the outstanding collection of his office to the cooperation of business establishments and local officials here in promptly paying their taxes due the government. (Mar Supnad)

Release of project funds urged 

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — A ranking official of the House committee on public works here demanded the national government to facilitate the release of funds to bankroll vital infrastructure projects nationwide early in order to prevent the prosecution of wrongly time projects that greatly affect the convenience of the public.

Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara, vice chairman of the House committee on public works, explained local governments nationwide had been hounded by numerous criticisms due to delayed implementation of public works projects that are often done during the rainy season. (Dexter A. See)

Blood Donor Month kicks off

ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines —  The province is hosting today the kick-off ceremony for the regional celebration of the Blood Donor’s Month.

The office of Rizal Governor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares, III revealed that a 6:30 a.m. parade from the Antipolo Cathedral grounds to the Ynares Center which will be attended by representatives of various sectors of society based in the province will signal the start of the activity.

Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona will lead national and local officials in today’s activity. (Nel B. Andrade)