CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines — Responding to grave concern over much needed potable water in storm-ravaged Cagayan de Oro City (CDO), a US firm with facilities here has rushed the shipment of a portable water filtration system to the northern Mindanao.

Peregrine Development International (PDI) has donated a water filtration station that is capable of producing eight bottles of water per day for 12,000 persons. Cagayan De Oro’s 500,000 people were virtually left with unsafe water as storm “Sendong” left thousands dead, contaminating water tables and sources for its populace. (Franco G. Regala)

5 kids get OWWA scholarships

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The first batch of five students granted Overseas Workers and Welfare Administration (OWWA) scholarships were announced by the city government here Thursday.

They are Rhona Carmilyn Porte and Maricar Rabe, both of Ibabang Dupay, here who will study in STI-College; Monaliza Lagustan in Sacred Heart College; Peter James Menguito in Calayan Educational Foundation Inc.; and Cleofas Tierra in Enverga University, here.

City Adminstrator Ramon Talaga Jr. handed them their checks for P10,000 each. (Danny Estacio)

Meat watch up in Pangasinan

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — This city’s veterinary office is now monitoring the public market for any entry of “botcha” or double-dead meat products to protect consumers on a holiday shopping spree.

City Veterinarian Fernando Banchiran said that based on their assessment, meat available in markets are safe for human consumption and that vendors are complying with rules set by the government.

He reminded marketgoers that fresh meat must bear both the inspection mark and the meat inspection certificate of the National Meat Inspection Service. Buyers should also watch out for pale-colored, slimy or sticky-fleshed meat products. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

Some kind of Christmas gift

HERMOSA, Bataan — Policemen hunting for illegal firecrackers being transported on Wednesday night stumbled over a Christmas present which later turned out to be a kilo of dried marijuana leaves in Barangay Tipo, here.

Senior Superintendent Arnold D. Gunnacao, Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, said it was found in the possession of one Mikael dela Cruz, 24, of Fabie Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila. She was caught by the team of Sr. Inspector Ronnie Fabia in possession of the marijuana leaves wrapped as a Christmas gift.

She will be charged with violating the Dangerous Drugs Law. (Mar T. Supnad)

Foton to build Clark plant

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Zambales — A $20-million lease agreement was signed recently by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and Foton Motors Phils., Inc. that would construct an assembly plant inside the Clark Freeport.

Foton Motors Director Dennis Sytin said the plant aims to assemble cars and trucks that are for export in the Asian region as well as for domestic sales. Sytin added that the assembly facility will hire 120 workers during the initial stages. “We wanted to bring in to the country the leading Asian distributor of cars and trucks since Foton is known for aggressive service-driven sales and brand marketing,” Sytin said. (Jonas Reyes)