CAMP AQUNINO, Tarlac City, Philippines — Major General Jessie Dellosa formally assumed the top post at the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last Friday. Dellosa replaced outgoing Nolcom chief, Lieutenant General Gaudencio Pangilinan, who retired from the military service.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and General Eduardo Oban, AFP Chief of Staff, witnessed the change of command ceremony for the top military post covering Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Central Luzon regions. (Franco G. Regala)

DA to boost seafood plant

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has committed to settle within 60 days the management of the Seafood Processing Plant in Barangay Bonuan Binloc, here, in order to boost its operation. During a meeting with local officials and agriculture stakeholders here last Friday, Alcala said an amenable solution will be found and that careful study will be done to determine whether or not a private entity should run the facility.

Earlier, Mayor Benjie Lim said the processing plant is not functioning to its maximum potential and Alcala conceded that the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is not designed to engage in business and manage the facility. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

70 ex-rebels expect pay

CAMP DELA CRUZ, Isabela — At least 70 rebel-returnees expect to be given amnesty pay this week as part of the government’s Social Integration Program for guerrillas who have turned away from a life of strife, the military reported Monday.

Colonel Miguel T. Puyao, Commander of the Civil Military Operations here, said most of the rebel-returnees will be coming from the town of San Mariano, Isabela.

“Some officials from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the provincial government are expected to witness the awarding,” said Puyao. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

Laguna: 1,200 at PWD affair

STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna — Some 1, 200 persons with disabilities (PWDs) from this city gathered at the Enchanted Kingdom over the weekend to celebrate the 33rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Head Judith Hasil said the PWDs of this city came from different schools for disabled persons and barangay associations.

Mayor Arlene Arcillas also graced the event to give out needs of PWDs including such as wheel chairs, strollers, canes, bikes, and other equipment to help them in their mobility. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

Dunlop to save Filipino workers

FREEPORT AREA OF BATAAN, Bataan — A top official of the Dunlop Slazenger Philippines vowed to fight for the retention of the Filipino workers of Dunlop who maybe affected once the company moves out of the country.

Dunlop Managing Director Pompil Corsame toldnewsmen during Dunlop’s 34th anniversary last Friday here, that their workers numbering to more or less than 1,000 should also cooperate with the management in order to produce quality and world class tennis balls and compete globally.

“Dunlop still remains the top tennis ball manufacturer and supplier worldwide,” Corsame said. (Mar T. Supnad)