LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines — Local pensioners of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) need not go to the trouble of leaving the convenience of their homes to visit our offices and line up at the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GWAPS) kiosks on their birth month every year. GSIS Corporate Communications Officer Precious Anne L. Taliwaga said the system makes it easier for more than 300,000 old-age and survivorship pensioners to ensure the continued receipt of their pension without having to visit GSIS offices. (Danny Estacio)

Koreans Vow To Support Zambales

SAN FELIPE, Zambales — South Korean Governor Kim Kwan Yong of the Province of Gyengsangbuk-do led Thursday the inauguration and blessing of the International Multipurpose in San Felipe, Zambales. Kim, along with Dokdo Affairs Advisor Charles Hung Soo Park, was welcomed by Zambales Governor Hermogenes “Jun” E. Ebdane, Rep. Jun Omar C. Ebdane and San Felipe Mayor Carolyn S. Fariñas. In their meeting, the South Koreans vowed to continue their support to the people of Zambales through their international outreach programs with Aetas as the main beneficiaries. (Franco G. Regala)

Zapata Assures Credit To Cops

CAMP TOLENTINO, Bataan — In his bid to encourage and boost the morale of his men in the field, Senior Superintendent Ricardo Zapata, newly-designated police director, said their accomplishments will be given due credit. Zapata said he has told his chiefs of police that his reports of accomplishments under the Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) will cite those responsible for arrests and busts against criminal elements and syndicates. “My policy is to give credit where credit is due,” said Zapata. (Mar T. Supnad)

Sta. Rosa Campaigns Against Plastics

STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna — Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas promoted Thursday the “Ayoko ng Plastik” campaign against the use of plastic bags and styropor packaging in the city. Arcillas said it is part of the city’s effort to disseminate information on the implementation of City Ordinance No. 1720-2011, also known as the Environment Code of the city. “For the past seven years, the City of Santa Rosa has been resolute in helping the country achieve its Millennium Development Goal on Environment Sustainability. And now, we can also help maintain the country’s ranking in the latest biennial Environmental Performance Index (EPI) conducted by U.S. universities,” the lady mayor said. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

US Based Pinoys Help Aetas

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — In an act of kindness, a Filipino-American fulfilled his promise made two years ago to give school supplies to Aeta children of this premier Freeport. Edilberto “Bert” Aguilera, a certified public accountant from Ibaan, Batangas, who now lives in New Jersey, USA, met an Aeta while visiting Subic in 2010 and made a promise to return with school supplies. Aguilera, president of the family foundation Fil Aid USA, a US-based non-profit humanitarian organization, visited elementary schools in Sitio Kanawan, Barangay Binaritan, and Pastolan Village in Hermosa, Bataan to turn over the group’s donation of school supplies. (Jonas Reyes)