TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte, Philippines (PIA) — Mining companies Pacific Metals Canada Philippines, Inc. based in Tacloban City and Leyte and UP Mines, Inc. in Southern Leyte were issued new exploration permits (EPs) by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) central office.

MGB regional director Roger de Dios said the permits granted to the two Eastern Visayas-based mining firms to renew exploration activities were issued prior to the imposition of the moratorium on mining. He also said eight other mining companies across the country were similarly granted renewal of their respective EPs.

Excell search

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — Capiz province’s four local government units are all set for this year’s regional search for Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) Awards.

Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Helen Mestidio said both Capiz provincial and Roxas City governments will vie for the provincial and component city category, respectively.

Panay town here, which won in the provincial EXCELL evaluation, will compete for the regional search under the first and third class category while Ivisan town will represent the province in the 4th to sixth class category.

Sibulan wins

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — Besting 17 others, the eggplant split recipe of Angelita Licero from Sibulan town won first prize during the 6th grand cook fest ‘Buglasan Lutong Garbo’ last Saturday, Oct. 15 at Dumaguete’s Provincial Agriculture conference hall.

Licerio, who also won first place in 2006 and 2008, received a P10,000 cash prize and a trophy. . Chef Carlito Ledon’s bukolaknok, a combination of young coconut, squash flower and chicken, won second place with P7,000 cash prize and Marites Ebasan’s fisherman’s delight with sweet potato roll earned her the third place and a cash prize of P5,000 and trophy.

Best adviser

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) is now accepting nominations for 2011’s best performing school paper adviser. The search is open to all paper advisers who have served the publication for at least two years and have attended any of the PIA’s campus journalism seminar-workshops during his or her term.

PIA Advisers who have been PIA awardees for the past two years can still join the search, she added. The PIA said this is its way of appreciating and recognizing efforts of school paper advisers in promoting development and responsible campus journalism. Call 435-3933 or email piabacolod@yahoo.com for more details.

DPWH-8 warning

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Eastern Visayas is urging citizens and the media to help in government’s anti-corruption drive by looking out for government vehicles being used personally by officials.

DPWH regional director Rolando Asis said all government vehicles will now be stamped with the DPWH logo and marked “For Official Use Only.” Using government vehicles for personaly consumption is prohibited under Commission on Audit Circular No. 75-6 dated November 7, 1975.

Also, Asis said government officials are given representation and transportation allowances and this prohibits them to use government vehicles for their own personal needs.