LIMAY, Bataan, Philippines — To give the cassava planters a ready market for their products, local officials here led by Mayor Ver Roque will soon put up a cassava buying station in Barangay Duale, it was learned Friday. Roque’s action came in the wake of a reported growing number of his constituents engaged in planting cassava.

The mayor also wants idle land in this town to be planted with cassava for additional income and livelihood of farmers. “Mayor Roque wanted that the Limay mango cooperative members will manage it,” said Thelma Ratonel of the mayor’s office. (Mar T. Supnad)

Clark Christmas tourism site set

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) here is eyeing to transform major streets and business centers inside this premier Freeport into a “dazzling” Christmas destination in the country.
“Tourists and Yuletide merrymakers can now add the Clark Freeport to their Christmas itineraries to marvel at the twinkling of lights, behold festive decorations, and join the December revelries here,” said CDC Tourism Promotions Office (TPO) Manager Noemi Garcia.

Dubbed “Pasko sa Clark 2011: A dazzling Christmas,” the Yuletide showcase will be launched with the “1st Clark Christmas Light-up Competition” that will run from December 1 to 16. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Subic rescuers cited by Calumpit

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A well-deserved recognition was given to the Emergency Rescue Team (ERT) of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) by the municipal government of Calumpit in Bulacan for the ERT’s role in rescue efforts in the flood-stricken town after back-to-back typhoons last month.

Calumpit Mayor James de Jesus cited the SBMA team in a simple ceremony held recently at La Residencia in Calumpit, thanking members of the team who rescued and helped his constituents during the flood from rains spawned by typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel.” (Jonas Reyes)

Angono opens art fest on Saturday

ANGONO, Rizal — The month-long festivities in honor of this town’s patron saint, St. Clement, continue this weekend with various activities like an art exhibit featuring renowned local artists.

Richard Gappi, one of the town’s information officers, revealed that the art exhibit on Saturday at the Angono Municipal Gymnasium will be participated in by the Angono Ateliers Association, Angono Artists Association, Neo-Angono Artists Collective as well as independent artists and student artists representing various schools in this town.

The exhibit will be officially opened at 6 p.m. Saturday by 2010 Miss Philippines World Czarina Gatbonton and Rizal Governor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares, III. (Nel B. Andrade)

Lingayen set for ICT event

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — It’s all systems go for the five-day Pangasinan Digital Life ICT (information and communication technology) Congress to be held on November 21-26.

A brainchild of Governor Amado T. Espino Jr., the event to be held at the Pangasinan Training and Development Center, here, aims to position Pangasinan as the first digital province in Northern Luzon.

The event will allow the people of this province to learn more about the latest breakthroughs in information technology, the newest gadgets in the market, IT (information technology) solutions and processes. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)