FREEPORT AREA OF BATAAN, Philippines — With the steady arrival of locators who have expressed keen interest in this free port, local authorities are now working double time to address an imminent shortage of skilled workers and personnel coming from this province.

Bataan 2nd District Rep. Albert Raymond S. Garcia said the provincial and municipal governments are working closely with the Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the training of prospective workers among the residents of this province. “We just signed up international garments firm Luen Thai which will need 10,000 skilled workers. We need to produce the manpower for that,” said Garcia. (Mar T. Supnad)

Subic fisherfolk eye retail center

SUBIC TOWN, Zambales — Fisherfolk here are venturing into retailing of rice, fish-processing and meat retailing under the enterprise development and income diversification component of the Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project (ICRMP).

The Calapandayan Fishermen Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CFMPC), which was established in August 1994 and has 35 members, will buy and sell rice, process and sell smoked boneless bangus and tilapia, as well as produce and market meat products like longganisa and tocino for a startup cost of P469,467. The enterprise expects an annual gross income of at least P760,000. (Jonas Reyes)

‘Pulis Ko, Titser Ko' re-launched

TAYTAY, Rizal — In their effort to gain the trust and confidence of the youth, the police here re-launched the “Pulis Ko, Titser Ko” program which sends out police officers as educators in selected elementary schools.

Superintendent Arthur Masungsong, Taytay police chief, said two sections from Sta. Ana Elementary School graduated recently from the three-month long police community relations program. The lectures focus on the basic rights of children, traffic rules and regulations, and laws pertaining to the youth. (Nel B. Andrade)

69 trafficked persons get aid

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — A total of 69 people rescued from human trafficking in Central Luzon have availed themselves of the reintegration program for trafficked persons under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DSWD Regional Director Adelina Apostol said the number includes 23 minors who, since their rescue, have been returned to their families in Angeles and Olongapo cities. Some 10 women rescued in Tarlac City were given financial assistance ranging from P500 to P10,000. Others received legal assistance and free medical services. (Franco G. Regala)

Peaceful end to jail drama

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — All’s well that ends well. A 13-hour hostage drama at the Pampanga Provincial Jail ended peacefully in the wee hours of Friday morning with surrender of an emotionally-disturbed prisoner armed with a bladed weapon.

Police said Wilfredo Lorilla, 37, a native of Pangasinan gave up to jail guards after a talk with his sister, Jane L. Tabunda. Two inmates were taken to the hospital – one of them stabbed by Lorilla and the other sustaining bone fractures after jumping from the second floor to evade being attacked by Lorilla. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)