MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Philippines — Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro encouraged Monday at least 10 million peace-loving Filipinos, aged 10 and older, to speak as one to provide a democratic people’s mandate for the comprehensive peace process particularly the permanent cessation of hostilities between the government and all rebel groups by 2012.

The call was made as the Department of Education (DepEd) urged for active participation in the “Yes For Peace-Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan” campaign. (Fredie C. Velez)

3 top Giant Lantern Fest

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — Barangay Santa Lucia in this city scored another feat in the Giant Lantern Festival when it took home for the second straight year the grand prize for its entry inspired by the Filipino Christmas songs “Kumukutikutitap” and “Sa Araw ng Pasko.”

San Fernando City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez personally handed over the P103,000 cash incentive and trophy to Santa Lucia village officials during Saturday’s Giant Lantern competition at the Pampanga Robinsons Starmills, Mexico town. Barangay San Jose garnered second placed, earning P50,000 while Barangay Del Carmen, which rejoined the race after 57 years, landed third and took home P30,000. (Franco G. Regala)

Patapat road opens half lane

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Patapat Road in Barangay Pasaleng, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, which was closed recently due to a landslide caused by the continuous rainfall in the area, was reopened on Monday to light vehicles.

This was confirmed by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Engineer Nestor Pasion, following clearing operations done on the highway over the weekend. However, Pasion said only half of the road was opened as more repairs need to be done. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

No firecrackers in Angono market

ANGONO, Rizal — The municipal government here has declared the town’s public market as a no-firecracker zone.

This came as Mayor Gerardo “Gerry” Calderon has ordered the municipal Public Safety and Order office, and the personnel of the Angono Public Market to confiscate the firecrackers and similar devices and slap appropriate sanctions against violators of his warning on Monday. (Nel B. Andrade)

500 poor folk get services

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — About 500 residents benefitted from free medical and dental services in Barangay Pantal, here, recently, in the “Pamaskong Handog of the Rotary Club Uptown Dagupan 2000” event.

The team of medical practitioners also distributed medicine and milk to children four years old and above.

Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez said most of the beneficiaries were the poorest of the poor people in Sitios Guibang ang Patalan. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)