MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Philippines — In coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the provincial government here announced Friday that Bulacan residents are being given the chance to secure or renew passports through mobile passporting. Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado encourages all the Bulakenyos to avail this fielding of mobile passport services being offered by the PGB in order to save time, money and energy. Provincial Youth, Sports, Employment, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PYSEACTO) set March 1 this year as the deadline for the passport applications and submission of the duly-accomplished forms. (Freddie C. Velez)

P22M Goes To Masbate Fisheries

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has distributed agri-fisheries projects in Masbate worth P22 million. Alcala started his two-day visit to the province Friday to consult with farmers and fisherfolk, local government officials and other stakeholders in a bid to enhance the development of the island’s agriculture and fishery sector. Jose Dayao, the director of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol, said Alcala launched and inspected several agricultural projects and handed over counterpart funds and assistance for agri-fishery initiatives, including farm inputs and equipment. (Marvyn N. Benaning)

Subic Features Exotic Race Cars

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Zambales — Some 70 exotic race cards will rev their engine inside this premier Freeport for two days in the SpeedFest which starts Saturday at the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA). The activity is organized by AutoIndustriya.com, the country’s leading automotive industry website and forum. The SBIA will be temporarily closed during the event, and no aircraft will be admitted to the airport except for emergency situations. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia said that the organizer had completed all necessary requirements for this event, including permits from the Air Transportation Office (ATO). (Jonas Reyes)

Lingayen Reaps 5 LGU Awards

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Pangasinan recently reaped major awards in Regional Development Council (RDC-Region 1) Performance Awards held last Wednesday at the Oasis Country Resort Hotel in San Fernando, La Union. Five major awards on environmental and performance-based recognitions showered for the province of Pangasinan and emerged as champion in five areas, namely: Best Local Government Unit (LGU) Best Practices for its massive river cleanup and dredging operations; Best Performing LGU Based on Local Governance Performance Monitoring System (LGPMS); Best LGU Poverty Reduction Program Implementer; Best LGU Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Project Implementer; and Best Project Implementer. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

San Pedro Gets DILG Seal

SAN PEDRO, Laguna — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conferred the “Seal of Good Housekeeping” to this municipality through the leadership of Mayor Calixto R. Cataquiz for Calendar Year 2011 in recognition of its efforts in advancing the principles of “Accountability and Transparency in Local Governance.” (Ferdinand F. Castro)