OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines — “Wear red to show you care for AIDS and HIV patients.” This was the call raised by the multi-sectoral group spearheading the observance of World AIDS Day in Olongapo City on Dec. 1, 2011.

The Olongapo City Government, in partnership with the Olongapo City AIDS Council (OCAC) and the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) finalized Monday (November 14, 2011) the program of activities for World AIDS Day.

The organizers urged business establishments, government offices, non-government organizations and the general public to display the “red ribbon” – the international symbol of AIDS awareness, to remind others of the need for their support and commitment. (Jonas Reyes)

P.I.C.P.A. donates books to D.L.S.P.

SAN PABLO CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountant (PICPA)-San Pablo City Chapter donated used books for the city college here. Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo (DLSP) Dean Daria Tolentino of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and Dr. Edelio Panaligan, College Administrator, received the books used by recent state accountant licensure examination passers from this city.

City Mayor Vicente Amante thanked the PICPA in donating the used accountancy books for the benefit of DLSP students in 2013. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

Skills Contest

LUCENA CITY, Philippines — The provincial office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), is holding a province-wide skills competition, today until November 25.

TESDA Provincial Director Rhosalie Amazona said that among the skills contest areas are cooking and restaurant services which will be held at Saint Anne College, Lucena City and Quezon National Agricultural School, Pagbilao, Quezon on November 21-23. Other skills areas in the competition are automotive, welding, electronics, electrical and dressmaking. (Danny Estacio)

‘DAW 2011’ set in Pangasinan

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — The city government announced yesterday that several activities have been lined up in observance of the “Deaf Awareness Week (DAW)” with the theme “DAW 2011: Educate, Enrich, Empower.”

The activities are aimed at raising awareness on the rights of deaf people, particularly to education and equal opportunities in all aspects of life.

This was emphasized recently when the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) conducted a seminar on the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons at the Escuela de Nuestra Senora de La Salette. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

P.D.E.A. Region 2 burns marijuana

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines — Operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 2 burned some P3 million worth of confiscated illegal drugs in a simple ceremony in front of the Capitol last Friday. Director Juvenal Azurin, PDEA chief in Region 2, said yesterday that among those burned illegal drugs were marijuana bricks, “shabu,” drug paraphernalia and assorted kinds of tablets confiscated in drug stores banned for selling. “These illegal drugs were confiscated in various operations of the police and PDEA agents in Cagayan province from 2001 to November 2011 and were subjected for destruction upon the order of the court,” he said. (Freddie G. Lazaro)