ROXAS, Isabela, Philippines — After establishing a well-equipped Municipal Health Unit (MHU) with a reliable birthing station this year, Mayor Benedict Calderon is planning to improve the MHU to accommodate more patients and pregnant mothers.

Municipal Health Officer Mila Garcia said the mayor revealed his plan as the Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) passed on third reading a proposed ordinance requiring all pregnant women to give birth only in a hospital or well equipped birthing station in a bid to bring down birth-related mortality. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

Quezon telecoms link-up running

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) announced Friday the successful activation of local networking connection in 22 towns of this province between two major telecom industry players.

NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordova said the final link-up was completed and launched the other day, following the NTC’s order to the Globe Telecoms and the Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Company (PLDT) to fast track the implementation of local interconnection services. (Danny Estacio

Balanga kicks off jobs fair

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Mayor Joet S. Garcia of this city opened Friday another jobs fair at the Plaza Mayor de Balanga in his continuing pursuit to provide jobs to all able-bodied citizens in this province. Hundreds of applicants trooped to the jobs fair dubbed “Living your Dreams, Discovering Opportunities and Building Lives.”

Employment Service Office (CESO) Head Butch Cabrera said not only Bataan folk but even residents of Zambales and Pampanga came to register for employment. In Mariveles, Mayor Jesse I. Concepcion teamed up with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for free skills training as multinational companies are expected to pour in investments in the area. (Mar T. Supnad)

Bulacan solon defends fish pens

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — Bulacan 1st District Rep. Maria Victoria R. Sy Alvarado clarified Friday that fishponds in the coastal town of Hagonoy did not cause recent flooding in the municipality and Calumpit but the raging waters spilled from dams in upland areas.

Alvarado, in her privilege speech, said the fishponds in Hagonoy have been there since time immemorial. “For years, waters from these fishponds came from Manila Bay and returned to the bay without causing undue flooding to the coastal communities, particularly in the first district,” she said. Alvarado said the cause of flooding is the heavily-silted river systems and dams that had to release water. (Freddie C. Velez)

San Pedro holds Christmas shows

SAN PEDRO, Laguna — Thousands of San Pedro residents converged at the town plaza the other night to witness the lighting of the public Christmas display with the theme “Pasko sa San Pedro.”

Tourism Officer Sonny Ordona said the annual series of Christmas presentations the whole month of December kicked off with dance numbers at the town plaza.

Mayor Calixto Cataquiz said the nightly event will be participated in by different schools, sectoral organizations, civic clubs, and cultural groups, taking turns in providing Christmas-inspired cultural performances. (Ferdinand F. Castro)