MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese-flagged cargo vessel ran aground in the coastline of Lingayen, Pangasinan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday. Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente, PCG Public Affairs chief, said its elements based in Sual, Pangasinan confirmed that cargo vessel “LCT Shen Zhou 3” ran aground in Barangay Malipuec in Lingayen.

PCG Sual authorities issued an Inspection Apprehension Report (IAR) to the master of the ship – owned by Shenzhou Mining Group Corporation was loaded with magnetite sand – for failing to immediately notify the PCG about the grounding incident. The vessel managed to maneuver to a deeper portion of Agno River by taking advantage of the high tide. (John Carlo M. Cahinhinan)

Green Banner For Vigan City

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — This city received the other day the green banner award for being the most outstanding nutrition program implementer under the City Category in Region 1, besting eight other cities in the region in the annual National Nutrition Council (NNC) regional interagency Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI).

Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Singson Medina said the green banner award, which covered the 2010 annual evaluation, is the second for this world heritage site in two years. Vigan City had the smallest number of undernourished children in the whole Region 1 during the 2009 and 2010 annual nutrition evaluation. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

New Bataan PD Assumes Post

CAMP TOLENTINO, Bataan — Newly-designated Provincial Police Director (PD) Sr. Supt. Ricardo Zapata, Jr., who took over Wednesday as the new PD  of Bataan, vowed to continuethe atmosphere of peace that was initiated by his predecessor.

A graduate of the elite Philippine Military Academy class 1985, Zapata replaced Sr. Supt. Arnold D. Gunnacao who completed his two-year tour of duty. Zapata said that he will continue the programs of his predecessor and work with local officials to maintain the prevailing peace and order of the province. Zapata also thanked Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia for his trust with him. (Mar T. Supnad)

Tourism Talk For 192 Staff

MARILAO, Bulacan — To equip them with skills in dealing with all sorts of people and to practice good manners and right conduct, 192 frontline service personnel attended the tourism awareness seminar here.

Information officer Gladiz May Latiza, said that SM City Marilao in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Marilao Tourism Council came up with the specialized tourism awareness seminar not only to equip tenants and mall staff members with the knowledge needed to serve the growing number of local and foreign tourists visiting the mall but to speak well about our country, that we need positive building to feed our positive image. (Freddie C. Velez)

Surveys Ready In Lucena City

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The city government is all set to present today the rationale of Lucena Community–Based Monitoring System (CBMS) before the various organizations and multi-sectoral groups in this city.

Councilor Lenny Medua-Papa said that the city government aims for development and strengthening administrative functions through systematic, best and clean government. (Danny Estacio)