CAMP GEN. PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna, Philippines — The Laguna Police Provincial Office (PPO) launched this week its “Smile Project” aimed at giving Laguna policemen free dentures. Senior Superintendent Gilberto Cruz, PPO director, said the project is for policemen who have lost their teeth.

“One of the reasons why the Laguna PPO embarked on the said project is to help the lawmen under my command communicate with ease and confidence if he or she has a nice set of teeth,” said Cruz. The project has already benefited 12 policemen from different units. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

Antipolo pushes clean-up drive

ANTIPOLO CITY — City health office personnel are urging barangay and community leaders to strictly observe the cleanliness habit in their respective areas to rid their community of the dengue disease, which has already afflicted over 500 residents of this city this year.

City Health Office (CHO) Director Antonio Reillo Jr. said the clean-up drive of the local government here in all the barangays will not become successful if the community and its residents do not participate. Reillo cited records showing that already seven children have died due to dengue in this city. (Nel B. Andrade)

BFAR rescues dolphin in Cagayan

TUGUEGARAO CITY — Representatives of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Cagayan Valley Region rescued the other day a wounded dolphin stranded on the shore in Claveria, Cagayan.

Director Jovita Ayson of BFAR Region 2 said the dolphin was very weak from its wounds in the body when BFAR’s representatives found it on the shore.

Ayson theorized its wounds were from a dynamite explosion, perhaps, used by illegal fishers. Now named “Charlie,” after the BFAR personnel who rescued it, the wounded dolphin is undergoing treatment. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

Energy roadshow taken to CAR

BAGUIO CITY — Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Jose Rene Almendras met with local energy officials here and assured stakeholders in the region of an efficient and effective management of the country’s energy resources.

Speaking before the Energy Roadshow here, Almendras presented the situation and developments in DoE programs such as energy resource development, downstream oil, renewable energy, and power sector.

The presentation gave the participants an overview of the Department’s action in ensuring the sustainability in energy supply. (Dexter A. See)

Fire starters to be penalized

ITOGON, Benguet — Rampant forest fires damaging agro and reforestation plantations and watersheds here prompted local officials to pass a measure penalizing those who cause them.

The measure strictly prohibits burning in agro and reforestation plantations within the town particularly the Community Based Forest Management Areas (CBFMA), those covered by the Itogon Integrated Watershed Management Project (IIWMP), forest zones, protected areas and watershed areas.

The purpose of the ordinance is to pre-empt and defer people from acts of recklessness, negligence and apathy to the detriment of the environment and prejudice to the well-being of the residents. (Dexter A. See)