ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines — The provincial government led by elected officials of the province joined in the country’s simultaneous activities to observe the 115th death anniversary of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, Friday.

Highlight of the activity held at the Ynares Center grounds was the presentation of the proposed Rizal Shrine Project (RSP) by Rizal Governor Casimiro “Junjun” Ynares III.

The RSP planned to be established in Talim Island off Binangonan was explained to the public by Board Member Armando Villamayor Sr., chairman of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Education and Culture following the wreath laying rites in front of the statue of Rizal fronting the Ynares Center here. (Nel B. Andrade)

Christmas Winners

ANGELES CITY, Philippines— City officials here led by Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan lauded the winners of the “The Search for the Cleanest and Brightest Barangay” Christmas decoration competition during the awarding ceremonies held at the Marquee Mall Activity Center yesterday. Barangay San Nicolas bagged the 1st place for the cleanest and brightest barangay who used recyclable materials in their Christmas decorations. Virgen Delos Remedios and Pampang got 2nd and 3rd places, respectively, while barangays Cutcut, Mining and Pulungbulo received special citations for having design concepts that stood out with distinction. (Franco G. Regala)

Unity Call

IMUS, Philippines — Newly installed Mayor Emmanuel L. Maliksi has called on the citizens to unite, work for the best and let the capital town move forward in terms of development, peace and order and progress.

The 42-year-old mayor made the call as he buckled down to work with his constituents on immediate municipal concerns and priority actions on the day after the peaceful and orderly municipal hall takeover.

Maliksi took the mayoralty seat during the takeover Wednesday evening after incumbent Mayor Homer T. Saquilayan, his cousin, was unseated by a court ruling on a ballot protest in the May 10, 2010 first automated elections. (Anthony Giron)

'Cracker Zone

CAMP OLIVAS, Philippines— Police here have designated common firecracker and pyrotechnic zones in Central Luzon in an effort to minimize casualties during New Year’s revelry. Chief Supt. Edgardo Ladao, director of the Police Regional Office-3, has directed provincial and city police chiefs in Central Luzon to coordinate with local officials to establish common zones for firecrackers use.

He also declared this camp, including the provincial and city police offices in the region as “no firecrackers zone,” to attain zero casualties in the police headquarters. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Uprooted

CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Philippines — Joint elements from the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) uprooted at least P21 million worth of fully grown marijuana plants in two succes-sive operations in the mountainous areas at the boundary of Ilocos Sur and Benguet, according to Ilocos Sur police director Senior Superintendent Noel Amoyen.

Amoyen said the first operation was held on December 21, 2011 that resulted in the discovery and uprooting of more or less 30,000 fully grown marijuana plants in the hinterlands of between Sugpon, Ilocos Sur and Kayapa, Benguet province. (Freddie G. Lazaro)