MANILA, Philippines — The Japanese government through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) will fund the construction of a new Rural Health Unit (RHU) in the municipality of Paracelis, Mountain Province whose existing RHU is said to be in a miserable state. The grant contract for the project which amounts to US$98,418 (arounc P4.3 million) was signed Friday by Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe and Mayor Avelino Amangyen of Paracelis at the Embassy of Japan. Paracelis is a second class municipality of Mt. Province with a population of around 25,000 individuals as of 2010. (Ellson A. Quismorio)

Fatima image in Antipolo City

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — Dozens of uniformed and covert policemen as well as members of church based organizations have been tasked to secure the two-day historic visit of the international pilgrim image of the Our Lady of Fatima here starting at five in the afternoon Saturday. Larry Moratillo, head of the Tanglaw ng Mahal na Birhen, a group of lay people acting as marshals of the image of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage said he and his co-volunteers have been tasked to ensure the safety of the pilgrim image of the Our Lady of Fatima that has been scheduled to stay inside the cathedral until Sunday. (Nel B. Andrade)

COC filing

Those planning to run in the February 4 special polls for member, House of Representatives, in the 2nd District of Zambales may file their certificates of candidacy (CoCs) starting Monday. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the period for the filing of COC will start January 16 up to 18. Would-be candidates must be a natural-born citizen, a resident voter in the district for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day of election; that he is not a permanent resident of or an immigrant to a foreign country, among others. Filing of COC shall be from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m. from January 16 up to 17. On January 18, the filing of COC is from 8 a.m.to 12 midnight. (Leslie Ann G. Aquino)

MNTC set for SCTEx takeover

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — President Benigno S. Aquino III’s approval is the only thing lacking before the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) can formally takeover the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). Future plans by the MNTC includes alloting P300 million for upgrading the SCTEX and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) as well. MNTC said that the MNTC and the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) agreed on a revenue sharing scheme that will allow BCDA to service its debt and other requirements. Both the SCTEX and the NLEX are under the MNTC’s operation. (Jonas Reyes)

Babies screened for hearing defects

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — To save more babies from experiencing hearing defects while growing up, Mayor Christian D. Natividad conducted the first Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program in the country this year. The program was launched recently at the Malolos Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital. Natividad said the program is beneficial to babies who may have or develop hearing defects. “These impairments though can be caught early through screening and treated and rehabilitated accordingly,” said Dr. Norberto V. Martinez of St. Luke’s Medical Center in a report. (Freddie C. Velez)