SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga, Pampanga — Weeks after typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” left the country, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Office 3 said that price freeze is still in effect in seven areas in the region, including six provinces and one city, which have been declared under state of calamity due to the said typhoons.

Provinces which are still under price freeze, include Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac. Olongapo also implements such measure. The prices of basic goods such as processed milk, canned goods, coffee, laundry soap, detergent, candles, bread, and salt in these areas shall remain stable. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Bulacan PPO after cash fakers

CAMP GEN. SANTOS, Bulacan — The top cop in Bulacan vowed Tuesday to guard against the proliferation of money counterfeiters as Christmas, the season of giving, fast approaches. Senior Supt. Fernando H. Mendez Jr., Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, said he has fielded police to go after individuals spreading fake peso bills.

He cited a report from Supt. Elvis Diaz, Bocaue police chief, identifying two suspects engaged in the racket as Ernesto Amil San Luis Jr., 26, married, and Alvin Amil Co, 28, both of Taguig City, Metro Manila. Mendez said operations are under way to bust the syndicate faking peso bills. (Freddie C. Velez)

‘Oplan Kaluluwa’

CAMP GEN. GARCIA, Cavite — There will be no holiday break for the 1,500-strong Cavite police force come November 1 as “Oplan Kaluluwa” will be in force to ensure police visibility and peace and order in the province’s 96 public and private cemeteries, Senior Superintendent John C. Bulalacao, Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, said.

This will deploy police to strategic locations in cemeteries and other areas to stand guard against criminal elements and individuals carrying firearms, knives and other pointed instruments, liquor and other prohibited materials. (Anthony Giron)

Flood worsening in Dagupan City

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — Residents here remain adversely affected by the impact on their lives of recent floods as there remains backfilling of fishponds in the city, particularly on the De Venecia Highway in Barangay Pantal.
City Administrator Vladimir T. Mata blamed rampant backfilling of fishponds for worse floods experienced during the rainy season.

“It is evident that this unregulated activity has impeded water outflow into the rivers, thus, causing flooding problems in the city,” Mata said. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

Sumalo settlers assured of lots

HERMOSA, Bataan — Riverforest Development Corp., which reportedly owns the 213-hectare property in Barangay Sumalo here, said Tuesday that settlers who have been issued a notice to leave the private land they have occupied in this province are being provided with lot to be their own.

“Everyone can see for themselves the normal and prevailing peace in Sumalo due to the initiatives they are pursuing with undocumented settlers in accordance with the ‘Sumalo Settlement Plan of 2011,” said retired Col. Rene Rapisura, administration officer of Riverforest. Rapisura said there is a comprehensive settlement package detailing the benefits and classification of residents and farmers who had occupied the property. (Mar T. Supnad)