FLORIDABLANCA, Pampanga, Philippines — The Provincial Government of Pampanga will transform the mountainous village of Nabuclod in this town into an eco-tourism and cultural destination. Governor Lilia G. Pineda disclosed Monday that her administration is eyeing the construction of cultural village, zip lines, hanging bridge, native restaurants and other tourism facilities here.

This developed as Pineda inspected another newly-constructed view deck facing the province of Bataan and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to complement the zip lines. She and Floridablanca Mayor Eddie Guerrero said the project also aims to provide livelihood to the Aeta communities, whose cultural identity is being preserved. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Ejercito brings pride to Laguna

STA. CRUZ, Laguna — Governor Jeorge “ER” Ejercito has set another milestone for this province after being its first governor to be conferred the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award in ceremonies held in Malacañang recently.

Given during the 2011 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees Awarding Rites, it is the highest and most prestigious award given by the President to an individual his exceptional or extraordinary contributions that had nationwide impact on public interest, security and patrimony.

He is known for his “K2”: Kinse Kumpleto Serbisyo Publiko Kontra Kahirapan at Gutom” program, among others. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

Cavite PPO-NBI partnership cited

CAMP GARCIA, Cavite — The partnership between the Police Provincial Office (PPO) here and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has been strengthened by their sharing of information, Senior Superintendent John C. Bulalacao said Monday.

This partnership was shown recently when NBI agents and PPO intelligence operatives arrested last weekend Antoni Pumpa Loreto at his house in Dasmariñas City, this province. Loreto is one of the suspects in the October 29 holdup at Robinson’s Place mall in Dasmariñas in which three people were fatally shot. (Anthony Giron)

Pangasinan kicks off exercise month

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Monday was full of fun and exciting events for all provincial government employees as the 3rd sports festival dubbed “Angguan Tan Ehersisyo ed Kapitolyo” (ATE-K) 2011 kicked off at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, here.

Earlier, Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. declared November as sports and fitness month for the province with employees involved in activities aimed at promoting their physical, intellectual, social and emotional well-being. Espino said the month-long sports festival inculcates the spirit of teamwork, self-discipline and helps strengthen inter-office relations. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

PNRC opens new Tarlac chapter

TARLAC CITY — The Tarlac chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) is now Central Luzon’s regional blood center after its newly-renovated building was recently blessed and inaugurated here.

With no less than PNRC Governor Rosa Rosal and incoming PNRC Governor Leslie Espino at the helm, the newly designated Red Cross regional center was blessed by Tarlac Bishop Florentino Cinense, DD in a ceremony likewise attended by Tarlac Governor Victor Yap, Vice Governor Pearl Angeli Pacada and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and PNRC Tarlac Chapter Chairman Jesus Chua. (Mar T. Supnad)