OLONGAPO CITY, Zambales, Philippines – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo lauded Olongapo City for earning the “Seal of Good Housekeeping” at the recent Regional Partnership Workshop on Localizing and Converging Good Governance and Poverty Reduction.

The city received its award in ceremonies held at the Oxford Hotel, Clark Pampanga. The honor was awarded to Olongapo for its dedication and outstanding performance in good governance and promoting the social and economic welfare of the citizens as well as peace and order. (Jonas Reyes)

Halloween celebration

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — The horrifying creatures of the night filled the compound of the Ynares Center and capitol grounds here last night as the provincial government provided prizes for the best in Halloween costumes.

Saturday’s Halloween costume contest for the people of Rizal, dubbed as Hallo-Win Costume Party, has been held yearly as part of the activities at the Governor Ynares Tiangge located within the Ynares Center compound in this city. Winners were judged based on various categories such as cutest costume; most beautiful character; and most horrifying costume. (Nel B. Andrade)

Dagupan readies HIV, AIDS drive

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan – This city finalized this weekend the different activities in line with this year’s upcoming observance of World AIDS Day.

City Health Officer Leonard Carbonell said his department has devised strategies to contain the spread of Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Carbonell said the occasion seeks to address not only infections and death but discrimination against persons living with HIV-AIDS. The campaign for AIDS awareness will be pushed in schools and health centers starting the end of November.

There will also be free testing on HIV-Antibody, Hepatitis B and Syphilis. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

Laguna police on the lookout

CAMP GEN. RIZAL, Laguna — Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, head of the Laguna Police Provincial Office (PPO) ordered Saturday all chiefs of police (COPs) in the province to alert their personnel against wanted individuals who may turn up at cemeteries this All Saints’ Day. Cruz gave the order in the hope of arresting long-wanted criminals and those involved in high-profile crimes.

Earlier, Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito has instructed Cruz to conduct checkpoints/chokepoints and emphasize police visibility during holidays so peace and order could be maintained province-wide. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

‘Missing' Indian trader found ok

CARMONA, Cavite – An Indian businessman who had been missing for six days was found by police in good health on the Zigzag Road of Governor’s Drive in Barangay Mabuhay, here, last Friday.

Chief Inspector Armandy Carbonel Dimabuyo, Carmona police chief, said Tirath Singh, 28, a native of Punjab, India, was found by his patrolling officers inside an abandoned red Mitsubishi Lancer (TBP-324) with a blindfold and bound by fingercuffs.

He had been missing since October 22, apparently abducted by still unidentified men in Barangay Santiago, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. (Anthony Giron)