MANILA, Philippines — The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) called for the immediate relocation of residents in a village in Solsona, Ilocos Norte, as it sits directly on the path of debris flow, especially during heavy downpour. MGB-Region I (Ilocos Region) Director Carlos Tayag also recommended the declaration of Sitio Bliss in Barangay Manalpac as a permanent danger zone after assessing the area’s geo-hazard risks.

 Tayag said the conduct of geo-hazard assessment in the area was purposely to assist the municipality in its rehabilitation effort as well as to update and validate the results of an earlier geo-hazard study conducted by MGB in Ilocos Norte sometime in 2008. (Ellalyn B. De Vera)

Medical mission

More than a month after the onslaught of typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” in Pampanga, relief and medical assistance continues to benefit affected families in various municipalities of the province. For instance, medical specialists from Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH) and Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MFI) recently sponsored a one-day medical mission for typhoon survivors in San Simon town.

Close to 5,000 residents of San Simon, one of the most heavily flooded municipalities in the province, benefitted from the various free medical services provided by the MDH and MFI in close coordination with the Pampanga provincial government. (Franco G. Regala)

Cooperatives' assets

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Cooperatives in Pampanga have amassed a whopping P1.722 billion in assets, Gov. Lilia Pineda said, adding that the amount is bigger than the assets of rural banks in the province.

Pineda emphasized that while making profits is important, being able to help others and seeing that they make a positive difference in the lives of others is more important.

 “I urge the cooperatives to continue contributing to the province’s development as she commended their role in providing livelihood opportunities for people,” Pineda said. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

DPWH projects

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — Members of the Pampanga Mayor's League (PML) recently approved a resolution urging President Benigno S. Aquino III, Public Works Secretary Rogelio, Singson, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and other heads of concerned agencies to call for a temporary suspension of all projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 3 in the third and fourth districts of the province.

The resolution was unanimously approved by all the mayors in a recent emergency meeting in the city. Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, PML president, said the resolution covers projects that are not in accord with the duly approved priority and development programs of the province, especially on risk and disaster management prevention program. (Franco G. Regala)

Horse festival

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) will host this year’s third Annual Horse Festival from Nov. 26 to 27, at the Picnic Grounds here. Spearheaded by El Kabayo Riding Stables, the Philippine Horse Festival is a gathering, participation, and presentation of various activities centralized on horses.

Gabby La’O, who owns the El Kabayo stables, described the festival as a “continuous work in progress.” La’O said participants and visitors will be treated to a variety of events. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)