CAMP GEN. PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna, Philippines — Some 200 police and civilian sports enthusiasts will participate in Saturday’s “Ironman Challenge” sponsored by the Laguna Police Provincial Office (PPO), led by Senior Superintendent Gilberto Cruz.

Cruz said the sports event is specially-designed for police and includes swimming, river crossing, biking, a marathon, an obstacle course, and target shooting. This is the third time Laguna is holding the event which will also draw participants from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

Rice farmers assured of aid

TABUK, Kalinga — The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Friday the procurement of 1,600 bags of inbred rice seeds to serve as a buffer in the event of calamities that may affect farmlands in this province this crop season.

Provincial Agriculturist Gerardo Jose explained that although DA suspended its rice seeds subsidy program, it procured the inbred rice seeds for equitable distribution among farmers whose ricefields may be adversely affected by extreme weather conditions. (Dexter A. See)

Quezon awards

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Outstanding farmers and fisherfolk were awarded recently by Provincial Agriculturist Cristy Lucila in ceremonies held at Perez Park, here, to highlight their skills and dedication to their respective fields of livelihood.

Awardees in the individual and organization categories were Rico N. Bautista (corn farming); Florencio Sera (High Value Crops Development Program ); Jefferson Digo (young farmer); Maximo Custombrado (fish culture); Noel Niogan (fish capture); Margie Rutaquio (rice farming); Sintones 4-H club (young farmers); Binhi ng Buhay (small farmers); Gapas RIC (rural club); Adelina Manalo (animal raising); Infanta MFARMC and Gumaca MAFC (Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council). (Danny Estacio)

Youth leaders define 5 goals

BAGAC, Bataan — In adherence to President Aquino’s “matuwid na daan (straight path)” policy in governance, the national president of the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation (SKNF) led recently the launching of the “5 Rs” goal for youth leaders during a meeting in Tagaytay City.

SKNF President Louise Gabriel “Gabz” del Rosario addressed the three-day training of SK Federation presidents and defined the 5 Rs as Responsible, Reliable, Responsive, and Ready for Reforms. Del Rosario rallied youth leaders to follow the five Rs to make SKs more productive. (Mar T. Supnad)

Bio-mass project proposal ready

BANI, Pangasinan — Bani Mayor Marcelo Navarro Jr. said Friday that the Regional Development Council (RDC) is ready to submit an integrated bio-mass project proposal worth P6.5 billion.

Navarro said the proposed facility that will generate 8.5 megawatt of power, produce 100,000 liters of precious ethanol and generate heat for palay driers has already caught the attention of foreign companies – Global Energy, Asia Bio-Mass, and a still-unidentified company in Singapore. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)