VIGAN CITY, Philippines — An intensity 2 mild earthquake with 6.0 magnitude jolted early Wednesday morning in some parts of Metro Manila and Northern Luzon but no initial report on damage to property, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Local Phivolcs Researcher Porferio De Peralta said the 6.0 magnitude tremor occurred at 8:26 a.m. Wednesday with its epicenter traced at 94 kilometers southwest of Palauig, Zambales province with a depth of 16 kilometers. The areas affected with intensity 2 were Quezon City; Manila; Mandaluyong City; Ortigas, Pasig; Makati City; Obando, Bulacan and Baguio City. Peralta told the quake was tectonic in origin but no aftershock to be expected. (Freddie Lazaro)

School building

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City — Residents of Camiling, Tarlac are very grateful that they were considered as beneficiaries of the joint partnership project of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Sagip Kapamilya of ABS-CBN particularly in the construction of school buildings.One school building composed of two classrooms is being constructed in Bilad Elementary School (Annex), Barangay Bilad, Camiling, Tarlac while another two school buildings are undergoing repair and rehabilitation at same school at no cost from the government. Soldiers from the 522nd Engineer Construction Battalion under the 54th Engineer Brigade, Philippine Army headed by Lieutenant Colonel Rommel R. Hinlo undertake the construction of the school buildings while the Sagip Kapamilya ABS-CBN shoulders the construction cost. (Franco Regala)

Seminar representative

OLONGAPO CITY, Zambales — An admin aide from the local government of this city is representing the country in the Intellectual Property (IP) HELP DESK Seminar in Singapore on November 29-December 1, 2011. 32-years-old Richard Estrella, a resident of Brgy. Mabayuan, finished his Associate in Computer Science studies at the Network Computer and Business College in Olongapo. He currently works as administrative aide and has served as government employee for three years. (Jonas Reyes)

Rice Terraces

BANAUE, Ifugao — The Department of Agriculture is spearheading a National Government initiative to rehabilitate typhoon-damaged portions of the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces in a bid to restore the agricultural and engineering wonder’s status as a World Heritage Site and a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, in a meeting with local and National Government officials at the Banaue Hotel last Friday, announced that an initial P30 million will be earmarked for the rehabilitation of portions of the rice terraces that were damaged by recent typhoons. (Rizaldy Comand)

Skills training

PAGBILAO, Quezon — The joint local government unit (LGU), Quezon National Agricultural School (QNAS) and Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) are preparing to offer short technology-vocational courses for any interested persons living in this town. Municipal and Social Welfare Development Officer (MSWDO) Jane Luce stated that the trainings to be offered are focusing on cell phone repair, cosmetology, body massage, food processing by curing, salting and smoking, food processing by sugar concentration, baking cakes, pastries and other bakery products, food and beverages. (Danny Estacio)