ORION, Bataan, Philippines — A total of 353 poor patients here benefitted from the free medical and dental services sponsored jointly by the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Samat Alumni Association and Jose Rizal Institute (JRI) Alumni Association Class 1979. Doctors Teopengco, Bong Dispo, Louie Hizon, Jason Bauto, Joseph Quintos, Reuteq Miguel and Melvin Atienza, together with Engr. Alfredo Navarro, president of JRI batch 79 AA, and APO Provincial Chairman Gerry Calimbas were responsible for organizing the medical mission. (Mar T. Supnad)

7ID appeals to former chief

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Central Luzon appealed Monday its former commandant, retired Major General Jovito Palparan, to turn himself in and face charges in court. “It would be better for Major General Palparan to take the opportunity of proving that he is not guilty of the accusations against him,” said the statement issued over the weekend by the Army’s 7th Infantry Division (7ID). In the same statement, the 7ID denied providing protection or refuge to the retired military officer. Palparan, along with three other officers, was tagged by investigators as allegedly involved in the disappearance of students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan. (Franco G. Regala)

Angono: Bible Week events up

ANGONO, Rizal — The enthronement of the Holy Bible will be one of the highlights in this arts capital town’s celebration of the National Bible Week in this province. This came as the local government has tied up with the local Christian organization including the Katipunan ng mga Kristyanong Alagad for this year’s activity, the Rizal Bible Art Festival, which will be started with the Community Bible Art Parade. Mayor Gerardo Calderon said there is also an exhibit of local churches and organizations at the Municipal Gym and an Art Olympics that features a poster-making and poetry contest. (Nel B. Andrade)

More books for prov'l library

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The Provincial Library has beefed up its collection of books and facilities as part of Gov. Amado T. Espino’s program of raising the quality of education in Pangasinan. Provincial Librarian Evangeline R. Paragas said that due to Espino’s efforts, the public library has raised its current collection of books from 14,625 volumes to 20,027 volumes. “We tap non-government organizations, balikbayans and visitors to donate books and materials for the library and the province moreover, is a recipient of yearly book allocations from the National Library of the Philippines,” she said. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

Mayors to help expedite projects

CANDABA, Pampanga — Local chief executives in Pampanga have agreed to help in finding remedies to delays in the implementation of priority projects in this province. Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, Pampanga mayors’ league president, said they will begin with an appeal to President Benigno S. Aquino III, through a letter addressed to Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, to review laws on the implementation of infrastructure projects funded by the national government, carried out through the congressmen. Pelayo said mayors will now help in finding ways to expedite the release of funds through their congressmen for priority infrastructure projects. (Franco G. Regala)