ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — A P30-million fund granted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to the province for good governance will be spent on 14 localities including this city, the governor said Friday.

Governor Casimiro Ynares, III confirmed receiving the check and plaque of recognition from the DILG for Rizal’s Seal of Good Housekeeping for 2011. The fund, he said, will be used as capital expenditures to augment the local government’s approved annual investment program (AIP) for implementation of any or combination of the following projects only – rural electrification, local roads, farm-to-market roads and bridges, local economic enterprises, flood control and drainage. (Nel B. Andrade)

Candaba targets Unpaid Realty Tax

CANDABA, Pampanga — The municipal government here said that it would devise a system to collect at least P26 million unpaid real property tax from residents and business owners here. Officials of the municipal government here on Thursday disclosed that their collectibles involving real property tax have already reached more than P26 million.

There is a need to make a bold move so that delinquent taxpayers would learn to pay their tax obligations, Mayor Jerry Pelayo said. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Green-themed ‘Palaro’ all set

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Capitol officials vowed yesterday to host the best-ever “Palarong Pambansa” as they planned the first “green” sports event consistent with the local program to preserve nature and the environment.

Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim said the Capitol will strictly ban the use of styrofoam or plastics and other disposable materials that are harmful to the environment during the event which will attract 10,000 athletes from May 6 to 12, 2012. Calimlim expressed optimism that delegates from all over the country will abide by the “green” theme of the youth sports event. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

Yacht rescued off Or. Mindoro

A pleasure sailing yacht encountered engine trouble in waters off Oriental Mindoro, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported yesterday. Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente, Coast Guard Public Affairs chief, said the “Sailing Motor Yacht Fandango,” bound for Puerto Galera from Cebu, encountered engine trouble in the middle of rough seas and drifted towards the vicinity off Polay Bay in Batangas.

The yacht was towed safely to Muelle Cove in Puerto Galera with its owner James Lee and operator Margie Magbanua declared safe, said Ricafrente. The yacht is undergoing repairs. (John Carlo M. Cahinhinan)

Angeles forms Union for Peace

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — City-based factions here have recently formed into the Inter-fraternity and Sorority Alliance for People Empowerment (ISAPE) through the city government to foster peace. The group was formed through the assistance and support of Retired Police Inspector Oscar A. Molina, Chairman of the Unified Guardians

Brotherhood International Incorporated (UGBII) in a bid to give the public a new image of frat brotherhood amid controversies. Leaders and representatives of the different participating frat alliances have drawn and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). (Franco G. Regala)