MARIVELES, Bataan, Philippines — Cognizant of the hardships of the people of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities in the aftermath of storm “Sendong,” the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) launched a donation drive to help relief efforts of the Philippine Red Cross. “Our sympathies go out to the victims of typhoon Sendong and their families. It is everyone’s duty to heed the calls for help from our affected countrymen. The AFAB initiated this donation drive in the Freeport Area of Bataan to fulfill that duty, to help those who survived and provide their immediate needs”, said AFAB Chairman Deogracias G. P. Custodio. Helping the AFAB’s drive were locators, employees and other stakeholders. (Mar T. Supnad)

Revelry injuries down in Ilocos

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — The provinces of Ilocos region posted a 17 percent decrease in firecracker-related injuries this holiday season leading to the New Year 2012, the Center for Health Development in Region 1 (CHD-1) revealed Saturday. Dr. Valeriano V. Lopez Jr., CHD-1 director, said that until Dec. 29, 2011, there were only 49 recorded victims of firecracker-related incidents in the region as compared to the 59 listed in the same period in 2010. “Of the 49 firecracker victims; 98 percent were male, 2 percent were female while 60% were victims of Picollo firecracker and fortunately, we don’t have stray bullet victims this year,” Lopez said. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

Fair warning given to cops

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — Mayor Danilo Leyble of this city extended Saturday his greetings of a peaceful New Year to the city police force with a fair warning not to fire their guns in reckless revelry or face severe consequences under the law. The other day, Supt. Rodino Elfa, chief of police here, gave Leyble his assurance that his men and women have sealed the barrels of their service firearms with masking tape and showed a united resolve to uphold self-discipline and refrain from indiscriminate firing of their guns. (Nel B. Andrade)

Residents hope SPC opens soon

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — About a hundred employees and residents of Sitio Korea in Bonuan Binloc, here, expressed hope Saturday that the temporary closure of the Seafood Processing Complex as ordered by the Mayor’s Office last October will be recalled in 2012. Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez said many people lost their source of income as a result of the SPC’s closure on Oct. 7, 2011. Fernandez said that they are doing their best in working with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to settle all the requirements for the resumption of the SPC’s operation this year. (Liezle Basa Inigo)

Fire razes 20 Bacoor houses

BACOOR, Cavite — A 30-minute fire gutted down last Friday at least 20 houses in Barangay Zapote I of this town, the local fire and police departments said Saturday. In a report to Senior Superintendent John C. Bulalacao, Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, Police Officer 3 Ronaldo Orozco, case investigator, said that no one was injured when the fire gutted down the row of houses made of light materials in the alley. The fire started at 4 p.m. Friday and was placed under control 30 minutes later. (Anthony Giron)