BALANGA CITY, Bataan, Philippines - This new economic emerging component city in Central Luzon hit a record-breaking investment of P5.95 billion in 2011.

In his State of the City Address (SOCA) before New Year, Mayor Joet S. Garcia reported the successful implementation of the national government’s program of Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) where the city government was able to attract private investors such as the New San Jose Builders owned by Jerry Acuzar, a native of San Jose, Balanga City.

Through the initiative of Mayor Garcia, Acuzar entered into a business agreement with the City of Balanga to put up the Galeria Victoria, the biggest commercial establishment in the city that was opened only last Dec. 15. (Mar T. Supnad)

Hero cop

CAMP GENERAL PANTALEON GARCIA, Imus, Cavite — The Police Regional Office (PRO) 4-A will cite PO2 Randy de la Rea of the Imus Police Municipal Station for his heroism after he saved the lives of 16 people at the height of tropical storm "Sendong" in Bayug Island, Iligan City, Senior Supt. John C. Bulalacao, director of Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO), said Wednesday.

Bulalacao said the citation will be made by Chief Supt. Gil C. Meneses during the flag retreat ceremony last Friday at PRO 4-A headquarters in Camp General Vicente Lim in Calamba City, Laguna. De la Rea made many Caviteños happy and proud with his feat. Director General Nicanor Bartolome, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, earlier cited De la Rea for saving the lives of 16 people, including his wife Ella and their two-year-old daughter, during the onslaught of "Sendong" in Bayug Island on Dec. 15. (Anthony Giron)

Identity theft

CAMP TOLENTINO, Bataan — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) started investigating Wednesday the new modus operandi of a syndicate which steals the names of cellular plan holders in their illegal activities.

Chief Insp. Rogarth B. Campo, Bataan CIDG chief, called for the probe after an unidentified suspect “stole” the name and other personal data of this correspondent, then used it in purchasing an expensive cellular phone unit.

“We will establish the identity first of the suspect and how he or she was able to steal their targets’ names, then use them in getting cellular phones without the knowledge of their victims,” said Campo. (Mar T. Supnad)

‘Nego Kart’

ANTIPOLO CITY — Poor and unemployed residents who have entrepreneurial skills have no reason to be cashless as the provincial government continues to provide livelihood opportunities to deserving individuals.

This came as Rizal Gov. Casimiro “Junjun” Ynares, III recently awarded livelihood kits and mobile food carts to some 35 recipients of the “Nego Kart” or “Negosyo sa Kariton” project for ambulant vendors, and other skilled individuals from various municipalities in the province. (Nel Andrade)

Vigan victims

VIGAN CITY — At least 57 victims of stray bullets and firecrackers were reported Wednesday to the office of the Provincial Health and Technology Office (PHTO) of the Department of Health (DoH) here. From the 57, eight were victims of stray bullets while 49 were victims of firecracker-related incidents.

From the 49 victims of firecracker-related incidents, 44 sustained minor injuries, three with eye injuries, and two had amputations. One of the two amputation victims was a nine-year-old girl from Sinait, Ilocos Sur. (Freddie G. Lazaro)