BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Mauricio Domognan has challenged barangays to join the city’s crusade to solve the garbage problem to avoid being tagged as the dirtiest village. The mayor said barangays would play an important role in the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay contest this year. He said they are strict in the judging process to identify the cleanest and greenest villages and will only reward those that have been steadfast in promoting cleanliness in their surroundings. A portion of the P4-million subsidy for Panagbenga was allocated as prizes for the city’s Clean and Green search. However, he claimed those who would not pass the standard of the search will be given the dirtiest award to challenge residents and officials to improve their efforts in cleaning up their surroundings. (Rizaldy Comanda)

Blood Donation

TAYTAY, Rizal — Donating blood to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) was the policemen’s way of celebrating this love month with a cause. This came as members and officials of the Rizal Police Provincial Office (PPO) based in this town donated blood to the PRC during a blood-letting activity a day prior to Valentine’s Day. PPO Officer-in-Charge, Senior Supt. Rolando Anduyan lauded the active involvement of some 67 police personnel coming from the provincial and municipal police stations here in the blood-letting activity which is a regular program of the PPO every year. The blood donation activity was organized by the PPO officials in coordination with the PRC, Rizal Chapter led by Gov. Elmer Espiritu together with Dr. Pauleen Faustino and other volunteers. (Nel B. Andrade)

Mass Wedding

SANTA MARIA, Ilocos Sur — A total of 115 couples participated in a mass wedding ceremony initiated by the city government of Alaminos City. This was held at the Don Leopoldo Sison Auditorium during the celebration of Valentine’s Day last Tuesday. Alaminos City Information Officer Tots Orpeñada said City Mayor Hernani Braganza spearheaded the ceremony with Customs’ Commissioner for Intelligence Danilo Lim as one of the main sponsors of the newly-wed couples. Orpeñada said the mass wedding during Valentine’s Day is a regular event in Alaminos City to give a chance for unwed couples or live-in partners residing in the city to receive the matrimony of marriage. The wedding ceremony is called “Kasalan ng Bayan.” (Freddie G. Lazaro)

Pangasinan Gains

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr., in his fifth State of the Province Address (SOPA) last Feb. 13 at the Capitol Grandstand, cited various significant accomplishments of his administration for the past four and a half years. Among them, he said, were those on health, agriculture, ecological protection, sustained employment and livelihood assistance and mega-venture projects such as the Sual International Seaport and the eco-tourism zone project in the western part of Lingayen. (Liezle Basa Inigo)

Job Fair

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT (PNA) — Close to 5,000 jobseekers braved the long lines outside the Subic Gym in this free port recently, as Harbor Point, Ayala Malls’ newest retail development, opened its doors with employment opportunities for residents of local communities. The recent two-day job fair, dubbed as “Careers at Harbor Point,” offered almost 2,000 job openings ranging from managerial positions to service staff from 70 participating companies to address the mall merchants’ manpower needs.