BALIUAG, Bulacan— Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy Alvarado cited two world-renowned Bulakeño artists as “living treasures” during the launching of the “My City, My SM” Night over the weekend.

Alvarado said Virgilo Almario, national artist for literature and multi-awarded ballerina Shirley Halili-Cruz were honored during the “Bravo Baliuag” leg of “My City, My SM” where some of their works were featured to highlight the rich cultural heritage of this booming town.

Alvarado said that Almario, also known as Rio Alma, has written more than a hundred poems and stories as well as numerous essays on literature and history published in national and international publications. (Freddie C. Velez)

Villar: Blili River needs aid

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Senator Manuel Villar recognized the need to help the local governments of Baguio and Benguet in crafting appropriate policies to save the Blili River from deterioration.

Villar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said he is eyeing an inquiry in aid of legislation on the present state of the dying river and eventually lead to the formulation of policies and adopt practical ways on how to solve the rapid deterioration of the river which used to be a haven of marine life. (Dexter A. See)

Int'l coastal cleanup in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — In commemoration of this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and investors here will help in the coastal cleanup activity on September 17.

Various departments of the SBMA and companies inside the Freeport will gather at the Waterfront area to cleanup any trash that is left at the shores of Subic Bay.

The event aims to promote environmental consciousness among workers and residents from adjacent communities of the Freeport, said SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza. (Jonas Reyes)

Mayor laments 2012 IRA cuts

STA. ANA, Pampanga — Mayor Rommel “Omeng” Concepcion voiced out Monday that the 4.8 percent budget cut on the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) in his town next year will have a tremendous effect on their development projects and basic services. With an annual budget of around P60 million, this municipality stands to get P3 million less next year.

As this developed, Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo said the League of Municipalities (LMP) are still discussing the effect of planned cuts on IRA with DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo to address similar problems elsewhere. (Franco G. Regala)

Robredo cites Bulacan in LGPMS

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo congratulated this province over the weekend for being cited as one of the best governed province based on the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) in 2010.

They said among the provinces, Bulacan scored 4.8628 ranking third after Bohol which scored 4.9370 and La Union with 4.9115. Bulacan outdo other provinces such as Negros Oriental (4.8331); Pangasinan (4.8185); Ilocos Norte (4.8185); Albay (4.8064); Cavite (4.8031); Compostela Valley (4.7812); and Tarlac (4.7773). Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said he anchored his governance on transparency, social accountability and people participation. (Freddie C. Velez)