BALANGA CITY, Bataan, Philippines — The Department of Health (DoH) and the provincial government of Bataan are embarking on a program to convert the Bataan General Hospital (BGH) into a training school. Governor Enrique Garcia expressed optimism that the plan will push through “and we are well on our way in attaining it because less than a week ago, our Ob-Gyne department has been approved for service accreditation by the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society.” The BGH is now a Level 3 hospital after Garcia, as in congressman in 1998 pushed for the re-nationalizing and upgrading of what was then the Bataan Provincial Hospital. (Mar T. Supnad)

Masantol needs clean water — PMA

About eight barangays in Masantol, Pampanga have reported increasing cases of diarrhea due to contaminated water supply, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) said Saturday. Dr. Mike Aragon, PMA spokesman, said they have received hundreds of cases of gastroenteritis during their Doctors on Boat Program in the areas hit by typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” in Barangays Nigui, Sapang Kawayan, Sagrada Familia, Bagang, Balibago, Alauli, Baco and Iscundo. Aragon said they are now appealing to the national government to assist in providing a permanent clean water supply to the citizens of Masantol. (Samuel P. Medenilla)

Kids reminded not to wander

CAINTA, Rizal — The administration of an international Christian school based in this town issued an advisory to parents of the school kids not to allow their children to wander in public without a companion after two children from a nearby depressed community went missing last October 9. The report of the missing kids has reached the knowledge of local officials of the town including Mayor Ramon “Mon” Ilagan who in turn posted the pictures of the two missing kids on Facebook. Ilagan, through his Facebook, said the local government and the police are both doing their part to find the missing kids, aged 4 and 6. (Nel B. Andrade)

Quezon traders to boost exports

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Some small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province, assisted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), have agreed to make a concerted effort to strengthen their capability to export their products. Pablito Budoy of the DTI Office in Quezon said this was the consensus of members of the Quezon Producers and Exporters Association (QUEPEA) which recently elected Noel T. Florido, an executive of FILCOCO which exports coconut products from Gumaca, as their president. In order to reach their goal, Florido said their group will focus on trainings for capability building and product development. (Danny Estacio)

Cavite cops get P100,000 reward

The Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) will get P100,000 cash and merit medals from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-A for the neutralization of a hijacking group operating in their turf, it was announced over the weekend. Chief Superintendent Gil C. Meneses, director of PRO 4-A, will hand over the rewards to Senior Superintendent John C. Bulalacao, PPO director, and his officers during the flag ceremony at Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City, Laguna, Monday. (Anthony Giron)