CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines (PIA) — All classes in public and private schools were cancelled Thursday in Central Visayas to give time for the inspection of any damages to school buildings affected by the strong quake that hit the region.

Department of Education (DepEd)-7 Regional Director Recaredo Bigornia ordered classes suspended in both elementary and high school levels, so that respective school management and barangay officials could conduct inspections of school buildings in their areas for fitness and safe occupancy of the schoolchildren.

 The DepEd-7 official said damage to school buildings must be reported to the agency so that appropriate steps could be done.

Support E-trike

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo — The Department of Energy (DOE) said cooperation and support of local government units are vital to the success of government’s electric trike (E-trike) project. DOE Energy Resource Development and Utilization Chief, Engr. Eduardo Amante, said the E-trike project is envisioned as a scheme of empowerment for local communities as they will be able to reduce dependence on imported fuel.

“It will pave the way for a shift from use of gasoline to electricity,” he said. “E-trikes will not only make drivers save more, but will teach them on the judicious use of energy and bring about environmental benefit, with cleaner air.”

SALN Features

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — Capiz government employees were brief recently on the filing of statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) based on the prescribed form of the Civil Service Commission. Capiz CSC Director lawyer Maria Lina Gonzaga said the information campaign on the proper accomplishment of the new SALN form aims to establish uniformity in interpretation of said requirement, which took effect in 2011.

Over 200 public workers here attended the one-day SALN seminar and workshop. Western Visayas Civil Service Commission director Rodolfo Encajonado said the new form replaces baseline and annual declaration forms as the latter are not compliant with detailed SALN declaration required by law, particularly the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Free Screening

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) — The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI), a Cebu-based NGO and the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center held a cervical and breast cancer screening activity for free recently at the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) Conference Room located in the compound of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City.

This is part of RAFI’s advocacy to undergo early detection measures to prevent breast and cervical cancer. "An opportunity for women to detect pre-cancerous growth or any malignancy for cervical and breast cancer and the screening, which has limited slots, was open to the public at a first come, first serve basis," EJACC executive director Ronald delos Reyes revealed.

Green Cops

BORONGAN City, Eastern Samar (PIA) — Supportive of government’s program to slow down the effects of climate change, the Police Provincial Health Office (PPO) has initially planted recently some 300 mahogany trees here.

Headed by SSupt. Manuel E. Cubillo, the PNP provincial force, trooped to Sitio Catian, Brgy. Bato, this city, for said planting activities.

A report said Cubillo and his men committed to realize the PNP’s target to plant 10 million trees for the whole 2012.