CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — Mayors from Nueva Ecija have asked the national government to suspend the raising of membership contributions to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) by 100 percent as it will adversely affect their healthcare programs.

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines–Nueva Ecija Chapter passed a resolution calling on PhilHealth to suspend for at least two years the implementation of its program that will raise to P1,200 membership dues from the current P600 annual fees. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Beautifying Cop Camp Under Way 

CAMP TOLENTINO, Bataan — Right after assuming the highest post of the PNP in the province the other week, Senior Superintendent Ricardo Zapata Jr., Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, initiated a facelift on the camp to make it more beautiful and attractive.

There will also be a laying out of designed stones along the entry of the camp.

“The beautification is just a personal initiative of mine since we have no fund yet and this is a collective effort by the policemen inside Camp Tolentino,” Zapata said. (Mar T. Supnad)

Fire Prevention 

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — In order to raise awareness and public information on fire avoidance, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan encouraged local village chiefs here to participate on the city’s endeavor in the observance of the Fire Prevention Month.

The call was made by Pamintuan during Monday’s flag-raising rites as a response to the growing number of fire-related incidents in the city as reported by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Chief Inspector Gary R. Alto, city fire marshall, reported that as early as February, a total of nine fire incidents were al-ready recorded by their department that caused P4.1 million worth of damage on properties. (Franco G. Regala)

Kite-Flying In Antipolo City 

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — The city government here and a civic organization here lauded the participants of the recent kite-flying competition as they carried the tradition of the annual event that has been going on for 26 years now.

This came as Mayor Danilo Leyble, through the City Youth Sports and Development Office, congratulated the Kiwanis Club of Antipolo and Rizal for the success of last Sunday’s 26th Annual Kite-Flying Competition.

Fourteen entries joined the yearly kite flying event, which has been regarded as one of the local tourism attractions in this pilgrimage capital of country during this summer months. (Nel B. Andrade)

Quezon Capitol Bans All Plastics 

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The provincial government of Quezon has warned its employees and stall owners to stop using plastic bags and other plastic wares at the Capitol compound starting Monday.

Provincial Administrator Rommel Edano said that it is now on the strict enforcement of banning plastic wares and bags in all government offices and all businesses operating around at the compound of provincial Capitol compound.

Edano added that the violators will be penalized and for the business firms are cancellation of their contract from the provincial government. (Danny Estacio)