CAMP GEN. VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Some 989 members of the Police Regional Office 4-A (PRO-A) were promoted to the next higher rank in simple ceremonies held last Monday, here.

Chief Supt. Gil Meneses, PRO 4-A director, administered the mass oath-taking and pinning of ranks to the newly-promoted police officers assigned to different units in the Southern Tagalog region.

Forty-three of them are Police Commissioned Officers from Inspector to Superintendent while the remaining 946 are Police Non-Commissioned Officers from PO2 to SPO4. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

DOH releases Central Luzon dengue figures

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — The Department of Health (DoH) revealed Tuesday that dengue cases in Central Luzon rose by 284 percent from January to August this year as compared with the same period last year. DoH Regional Information Officer Sherill Aure said the number of cases stands at 6,969, which is one of the highest in the country.

Aure said that Bulacan has recorded the highest number dengue cases in Central Luzon with 2,259, followed by Nueva Ecija – 1,666; Pampanga – 1,390; Tarlac – 736; Bataan – 525; Zambales – 350 and Aurora – 43. Aure added that their Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit had reported a total of 21 deaths. (Franco G. Regala)

Orion LGU uses modern layroll

ORION, Bataan — Mayor Jose “Pepe” Santos revealed Tuesday that all of the municipal hall employees of this town will soon receive their salaries through ATM (Automated Teller Machine) from a commercial bank to save them time, without facing hassle.

“Magiging hi-tech na ang pagtanggap ng sahod ng mga kawani namin dito sa Munisipyo dahil kukunin na lang nila sa ATM, ano mang oras at arawang kanilang suweldo at hindi na sila pipila pa,” said Santos. Santos said that he is now getting in touch with a commercial bank that can give a little bit consideration such as “no maintaining balance and charge fees.” (Mar T. Supnad)

Iodine-deficiency campaign in Rizal

ANTIPOLO CITY — The apparent indifference and the possible ignorance of many on the importance of iodine in the daily diet of children as well as pregnant women has prompted a private group to continue its advocacy in raising awareness on the importance of iodine fortification in salts as one of the ways to eliminate iodine deficiency disorder in the country.

Recently, Salinas Foods Incorporated (SFI), makers of FIDEL Iodized Salt, brought their awareness campaign to more than 600 students of Juan Sumulong Elementary School in this city over the weekend as part of the firm’s Health and Wellness Advocacy Program. (Nel B. Andrade)

Meneses commends Cavite PPO chief

IMUS, Cavite — Chief Superintendent Gil C. Meneses, director of Police Regional Office 4-A (PRO4-A), has commended Senior Superintendent John C. Bulalacao, Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) director for the vast improvements made in his turf in terms of peace and order.

Meneses, in an interview, said that Cavite is now No. 4 in peace and order rankings in Region 4-A. The region comprises Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon or Calabarzon. “The Cavite police are performing. In fact, Cavite is ranked No. 4,” said Meneses. (Anthony Giron)