BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Former Solicitor General Silvestre “Bebot” Bello will be championing the cause of good governance as he addresses today’s meeting of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) in Bataan. Businessman Gerry Calimbas of Morong and Edgardo Lulu, of Pilar town, who are the head and coordinator of the APO in this province’s 1st District, respectively, will welcome Bello.

Dr. Junn Teopengco, president of the APO-Mt. Samat Alumni Association, said the meeting will focus on expanding their organization, to include barangay leaders and members of non-government organizations. (Mar T. Supnad)

Cainta Taxi Drive Boosts Collection

CAINTA, Rizal — The local government’s tax collection campaign and strategies have resulted in the increase in revenues in recent years, hitting P159 million last January or 18 percent higher than in the same period last year.

Cainta Mayor Ramon “Mon” Ilagan said the efforts of the Treasurer’s Office, led by Edith Loacan, have raised the income of the local government. Ilagan said the setting up of a one-stop shop inside the town hall has helped a lot in the tax campaign of the local government.

“Traders can easily avail of business permits in just 30 minutes,” he said. However, he clarified that the completion of all the requirements should be done within 60 to 90 days based on the Anti-Red Tape Act. (Nel B. Andrade)

Activities For Fire Month Set

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — The office of Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy Alvarado mapped out month-long activities, including fire prevention strategies, as part of his advocacy on Fire Prevention Month.

With the theme “Makiisa, Makialam, Makipagtulungan upang Sunog ay Maiwasan”, the activities aim to increase the awareness of Bulakeños in fire prevention as well as to mitigate the 149 fire incidents that happened in the province last year.

Other activities are a bloodletting drive and fire awareness run that will be participated by policemen, firemen, non-government response teams, military and Provincial Capitol employees. (Freddie C. Velez)

2-DAY Forestry Seminar For Cops

CAMP NAVARRO, Oriental Mindoro — The Police Regional Office 4-B’s (PRO4-B’s) Police Community Relations Division (RPCRD) conducted a two-day seminar-workshop on Nursery and Forest Plantation Establishment, Maintenance and Protection in cooperation with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Calapan City.

The seminar was participated in by 43 members of the Office of Command Group, Directorial Staff, Regional Support Units and the Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office (PPO). (Ferdinand F. Castro)

Food Supply Is Sufficient – D.A.

DAGUYPAN CITY, Pangasinan — The province of Pangasinan planted enough high-value crops, including rice, corn, some vegetables and mango last year to ensure a sufficient supply of food for the province, the Department of Agriculture (DA) revealed yesterday.

Edmundo M. Quinit, Region 1 chief of the Agricultural Extension Program Division, said there is no expected shortage this province’s food production even though the country has been experiencing a mild La Niña causing above average amount of rainfall for irrigation. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)