BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (PIA) — Regional health officials launched this week its “Neck Mo, I-check Mo” campaign in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to raise the public awareness on goiter, a disorder characterized by the enlargement of the thyroid gland located in the neck area.

Dr. Domingo Solimen of the DoH-Cordillera said this advocacy of the DoH, in observance of Goiter Awareness Week from January 24 to 30, is important in CAR because it is one of the regions with a high incidence of the disorder. Solimen said early detection of lumps in the neck area below the Adam’s apple and difficulty in swallowing helps for easier treatment of thyroid problems.

‘LIKHA KA’

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — The program on Literasi at Kasanayan sa Hanapbuhay sa Kalibliban (LIKHA KA) of the provincial government is now supporting livelihood programs for the poor. LIKHA KA is a special program of the governor’s office under the supervision of its Project Management officer Lorelein Sevilla.

In a simple program held recently at the Baco municipal gymnasium, Gov. Alfonso V. Umali Jr. gave checks worth P60,000 each for the micro-lending projects of Pabakas Kabuhayan sa Sinandigan ng Puerto Galera and Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Tacligan, San Teodoro.

Cavite road mishap hurts 6

MAGALLANES, Cavite — Five university students were injured when they were hit by a motorcycle driven by another student while they were walking on a road in Barangay Cabulusan here, a police report said Tuesday. The motorcycle driver, a college student, was also injured during the accident, it was reported.

Police Officer 1 Fercival Signo, case investigator, identified the victims as Ester Judith Maranan, Donald M. Alberto, Larry Remerata, Karen Jane P. Fernandez, and the driver Jed John Reeve Genio. (Anthony Giron)

New ordinance

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — Officials said Tuesday that the approval of a provincial ordinance which establishes Barangay Employment Service Office (BESO) in the 367 barangays in Palawan will provide effective mechanisms for protection of labor from illegal recruitment and the promotion of its welfare.

Provincial Ordinance 1234 principally authored by Board Member Ramon Zabala was approved in the last quarter of 2011. The Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO) will implement the ordinance and shall act as the supervising agency over the BESOs and curb unregulated ads used by illegal recruiters or bogus employers to deceive job seekers.

CL: Intensified police drive up

CAMP TOLENTINO, Bataan — The Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) will be firming up its highway monitoring as the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership launched an intensified campaign against hijacking and highway robberies in Central Luzon.

This developed as Director-General Nicanor A. Bartolome, PNP Chief, mobilized all Police Regional Offices and National Support Units to press interdiction operations against organized crime groups, particularly hijackers.

Sr. Supt. Arnold D. Gunnacao, Bataan PPO director, said his men have done their part with last week’s arrest of four hijackers. Supt. Harris Fama, PNP Public Information Officer, said this particular crime is considered an act of economic sabotage. (Mar T. Supnad)