DINALUPIHAN, Philippines — The state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) is prioritizing marginalized farmers and fishermen in providing soft loans even as bank officials reported that more than 661,000 farmers and fisher folk have been benefitted from the program.

Land Bank Vice president Mernilo D. Ocampo, regional head for Region 3, reported over the weekend in a press briefing that the Land Bank’s total outstanding loans to its priority sectors in Region 3, has reached a whopping P5.99 billion as of Sept. 30, 2011. (Mar T. Supnad)

Ladies’ club plants 400 trees

CAMP OLIVAS, Philippines — A total of 400 different saplings were planted within the premises of Monasteryo de Tarlac to promote environmental awareness under a project led by the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) Officer’s Ladies Club.

The club, headed by Mrs. Niania Ladao, spouse of Chief Supt. Edgardo T. Ladao, PRO 3 regional director, organized the activity in cooperation with the National Headquarter Quarters (NHQ) Ladies Club led by Mrs. Bartolome, better half of Chief PNP Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome.

Medical teams from the PRO 3 Regional Health Service led by Senior Supt. Alejandro Advincula also joined the tree-planting activity. (Franco G. Regala)

Rizal shootfest

TAYTAY, Philippines — To establish strong partnership with the civilians in aiming for a crime-free community and responsible gun ownership, the Rizal Police Provincial Office (PPO) here joined the shooting competition of a shooter’s club based in this province.

The Rizal Shooters’ Club’s shooting event participated in by 65 shooter members of the organization and held at the Rizal PPO firing range, was joined by police officials and personnel based in this province last weekend.

Rizal PPO director, Senior Supt. Manuel Cesar Prieto and his team of police officers placed third in the standard division category. (Nel B. Andrade)

P.N.P. seminar draws 79 cops

CAMP FLORENDO, Philippines — The Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) conducted a two-day seminar-workshop on human rights over the weekend (November 18-19) at the Concord Building here to support the 10-Point Action Plan of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, particularly on the promotion of Rights-Based Policing.

About 79 Human Rights Desk Officers from PRO1 Headquarters participated in seminar: PRO1 Headquarters – 5; La Union – 12; Pangasinan – 21; Ilocos Sur – 26; and Ilocos Norte – 15 plus four Police Provincial Offices.

The activity was spearheaded by the PRO1 Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) headed by Police Superintendent Perfecto Pagador. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

S.B.M.A., Olongapo cite its volunteers

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the city government of Olongapo will be observing the 19th annual celebration of Volunteers Day on Thursday, November 24.

The date marks the day when thousands of residents from Olongapo City and nearby communities in the provinces of Bataan and Zambales joined then Olongapo City mayor Richard Gordon to voluntarily guard, maintain and manage all properties left inside the former Subic Naval Base after the US Navy withdrew in 1992. (Jonas Reyes)