SANTIAGO, Ilocos Sur, Philippines — The province of Abra and the towns in the second district of Ilocos Sur will experience power interruption on Saturday due to the preventive maintenance on electricity equipment and power lines to be conducted by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO) spokesman Clarence Ducusin said the brownout will start from 6 a.m to 6 p.m. He said power restoration will resume earlier if the operation is finished earlier. He advised the public to take the necessary preparations and precautions for this scheduled interruption. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

Meat seized

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya (PNA) — Employees of the local government unit here confiscated on Thursday imported meat products being sold at the public market in Barangay Calaocan. Market master Eleazar Pinaroc said the meat products, composed of pork and chicken parts, were contained in six boxes and are being sold to buyers here.

He said the meat products worth P10,600 came from Caloocan City and did not have proper legal documents such as city permit and particular place of their destination. “The permit being shown by the seller was still dated December 30 and therefore, it has expired. It did not also bear any sanitary permits,” Pinaroc said.

‘Botika’ opened

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has opened a health center and “Botika para sa Taumbayan” at the department’s training center. This is aimed at providing marginalized Filipinos more access to low priced generic over-the-counter drugs (non-prescription) and essential prescription drugs.

The “Botika Para sa Taumbayan” started its operation in October 2011. Most of the in-demand medicines are available in the “botika.” These include medicines for hypertension, fever, pain reliever, anti-diarrhea and vitamins for children and adults.

Tax drive

ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) — The local government unit of the capital town of Isabela has started this week its massive tax collection activity among business establishments, tricycle and jeepney operators, real property owners and other collectibles from the town. Information officer Antonio Montereal said the local treasury office has put up a one-stop shop within the lobby of the municipal hall to speed up the flow and processing of business permits and collections.

Montereal said the local government unit is doing the activity annually and is appreciated by Ilagueños since it gives them shorter time in processing their business permits and in paying their taxes. He urged Ilagueños to pay their taxes before the January 20 deadline to avail themselves of tax discounts for early taxpayers.

Angeles aid

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga (PIA) — Because of its exemplary performance in governance, full disclosure policy, transparency, and accountability, the city government here will receive P25 million from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as part of its program on Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

In a letter sent to City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said, “the fund shall be utilized as capital expenditures and shall be used to augment the approved 2012 Annual Investment Plan of the city.” Pamintuan disclosed that, “the said fund will supplement the expected reduction of our Internal Revenue Allotments share this year.