CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines — Pampanga has been named as this year’s outstanding province in Central Luzon by National Nutrition Council’s (NNC) for its exceptional and effective nutrition programs for 2011. Maria Vicenta Magpantay from the NNC bestowed to the provincial government the award at simple rites at the Benigno Aquino Hall here Wednesday.

Magpantay said the award would be a perfect venue to acknowledge the local government units (LGUs) that demonstrated exemplary performance in nutrition program management as well as Barangay Nutrition Scholars with outstanding performance in the delivery of nutrition and related services for 2010.

Provincial Board Committee on Health chair Monina Laus hailed the award, saying it is a reaffirmation of the effective and efficient health programs being implemented by the province. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Hospital Rehabilitation

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — Regional Medical center Chief Dr. Joseph Roland Mejia has called on national government to fund the rehabilitation of the hospital devastated by typhoon Peping in 2009.

"Matagal ng panahon na napapabayaan ang ospital at marami sa ating mga kababayan ang ating pinagsisilbihan lalo sa kalusugan," Mejia said.

It was reported that about P418 million was the estimated damages during the typhoon Peping which affected the buildings andequipments. (Liezle Basa Inigo)

Performing Towns

LUCENA CITY, Philippines — Twelve best performing towns in this province received their performance challenge fund (PCF) worth P1 million each in awarding rites led by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-CALABARZON regional director Josefina E. Castilla Go, DILG-Quezon provincial director Teodorica G. Viscarra and Quezon Governor David C. Suarez held on Tuesday at Kalilayan Hall this city.

Recipients of the P12M funds are local government units (LGU’s) of Burdeos, Jomalig, Sampaloc, Panukulan, Patnanungan, Buenavista, Macalelon, Padre Burgos, Alabat, Perez. Plaridel and San Antonio, Quezon which are categorized as 4th to 6th class municipalities. (Danny Estacio)

Missing Fishermen 

CURRIMAO, Philippines — Operatives from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other law enforcement agencies intensified this Wednesday the continuing search and rescue operation to the reported eight missing fishermen at the shorelines of Fuga island and Calayan in Cagayan.

This was confirmed Wednesday by PCG Northern Luzon chief, Captain George Ursabia.

The eight missing fishermen were identified as Mark Cacayuran, 30; Bernardo Tricenio, 26; Ariel Cacayuran, 25; Edgar Siraon, 32; Fidel Carrera, 42; Jun Carrera, 40; Naming Abad, 50, and Julian Nagtaran; all residents from Barangay Macanaya, Aparri, Cagayan. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

Bridge Collapses 

APALIT, Philippines —Hundreds of motorists were stranded along local road after a portion of Colgante bridge here reportedly collapsed, as under the weight of 3 passing trucks on Wednesday morning, a police official said Wednesday.

Superintendent Angelito Esteban, Apalit police chief, in a report to Senior Supt. Edgardo G. Tinio said that the Colgante bridge was collapsed while the three trucks loaded with sand and gravel were passing through at around 10:15 a.m. (Franco G. Regala)