DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — This city has been awarded as first runner-up for the city category in the Search for the Most Outstanding Local Government Unit Coastal Resource Management (LGU-CRM) Implementer for 2011 by the Regional Development Council of Region 1.

Mayor Benjamin S. Lim received the award for the city last February 22 at the Oasis Country Resort, San Fernando City, La Union. The launching of the “Ilog Ko Bilay Ko (My River, My Life)” program for the clearing of fishpens and other illegal structures in rivers contributed Dagupan’s citation. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

Sariaya Drafts Land Use Plan

SARIAYA, Quezon — The shared effort of local government units (LGUs), multi-sectoral groups, people’s organizations, and stakeholders to produce a comprehensive land use plan (CLUP) will benefit this town in terms of progress and development. The proposed CLUP is the hobbyhorse of Mayor Boyet V. Masilang and local municipal planners. If the proposals become an ordinance, the areas in agriculture, commercial, industrial, tourism, protected, residential will be guided accordingly based on a zoning plan. (Danny Estacio)

F.A.B. Welcomes 2 New Companies

MARIVELES, Bataan — Two more multi-national companies have set up shop in the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), it was reported Thursday.

FAB Chairman and Administrator Deo Custodio said the Interline Realty recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its 8,157.11 sq meter land development project at the FAB.

The company’s more than 150M investment will bring in a new gasoline station, a number of restaurants, an atrium and a hotel fronting the magnificent view of the FAB coast line.

Named as the Cosmopolitan of Mariveles, this port side devel-opment will also boast a ferry terminal with promenades open to the FAB denizens. (Mar T. Supnad)

C.L. To Produce More Seaweed

BALER, Aurora — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said that it will continue to expand the seaweed industry in Central Luzon as part of the efforts of the national government to increase marine food production and provide alternative livelihood opportunities to fisherfolks.

The bureau said that the government is developing the at least 900 hectares of potential seaweed farms in the region, particularly the 150 hectare potential seaweed area in this province.

It said the annual estimated seaweed production from provinces in Central Luzon is 65,880 metric tons. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Medical Mission Held In Angono

ANGONO, Rizal — Hundreds of residents in this art capital town of the country availed of the free medical mission of the municipal government and a leading drug store in the country.

Mayor Gerardo “Gerry” V. Calderon and local officials assisted the staff of Mercy Drug in attending to the hundreds of residents who trooped to the Angono Municipal Gymnasium the whole day Thursday to take part in the “Oplan Bigay Lunas- A Free Medical Mission” of the local government in partnership with the pharmacy.

The activity coincided with the Mercury Drug’s 67th anniversary, highlighted by the giving away of free medicines to sick individuals. (Nel B. Andrade)