KALIBO, Aklan, Philippines (PIA 6) – Share your blessings this Christmas with Aklan inmates at the Aklan Rehabilitation Center (ARC), was the appeal made by ARC provincial warden Gelacio Guarino who pointed to the 263 inmates inside the ARC’s eight congested cells. Of this number, 17 are females who share one cell. The latter are being held for violating Republic 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act while the male inmates mostly face cases as murder, homicide, human trafficking, carnapping, etc. Guarino also said the inmates lack provisions like toiletries. Meanwhile, Guarino said due to the recent Enhanced Justice on Wheels (EJOWs)’ visit to Aklan, cases of four ARC inmates were immediately resolved during the conduct of court hearings right inside the two buses.

DoH campaign

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PIA) – The Department of Health in Region 6 has started its “kontra paputok (anti-firecrackers)” drive with a multi-sectoral meeting aimed at further increasing the public’s awareness on threats posed by firecrackers to human lives and property. DoH 6 Non-Communicable Diseases Division program manager Jerry Porras said this year’s fireworks-injury reduction campaign will now be known as “Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction” or APIR. Porras said Western Visayas has 1,022 fireworks-related injuries recorded last year, a bit lower compared to 2009’s 1,036 cases.

20IB scores

LOPE DE VEGA, Northern Samar – Two New People’s Army (NPA) camps in Northern Samar were recently overrun by troops under 2Lt. Joter Lobo PA and 2Lt Al Peter Galula PA belonging to the 20th Infantry Battalion (20IB) under the Philippine Army (PA)’s 8th Infantry Division, said 20IB commanding officer, Lt. Col. Noel Vestuir. The encounter in the tri-boundary of Northern Samar towns Catarman, Bobon and Lope de Vega led to the discovery by government troops of the NPA camps. The troops were in the area after the local residents local about the presence of armed men in the area. They caught the rebels by surprise and after about an hour of firefight between the two groups, the rebels fled. (Restituto A. Cayubit)

Vehicle registration

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) in this city will set up an extension office to allow motor vehicle registration in Pilar town, Dec. 15 to 16. Vehicle owners, about to renew vehicle registration are encouraged to avail of the program, said LTO – Roxas City chief Jose Degollado, Jr. “The coverage of out-of-town activity will be vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 only,” he stressed, adding the same activity is the second time for Pilar as requested by the municipal government. Last November, the activity was able to accommodate 60 vehicles in Pilar and President Roxas towns.

PHAMSC targets

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) – Bohol’s Provincial HIV/Acquired Immunity Disease Syndrome Multi-Sectoral Council (PHAMSC) has identified goals for accomplishment through 2015 after a series of workshops and planning activities recently held here. PHAMSC program coordinator Mila Israel said these goals reflect the global effort to rouse international awareness about the virus, with intent on reducing by half sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS-related maternal deaths; tuberculosis deaths among people with HIV; countries with counter-productive practices on HIV transmission and those that ban entry, stay and residence of HIV victims.