ANTIPOLO CITY — A resident’s concern for the environment has prompted him to turn over to the local government a wounded grass owl which he caught recently near his upland residence here.

Noel Artillero, a farmer in Sitio Sumilang here sought the assistance of a local leader who in turn contacted the local government’s City Environment and Waste Management Office (CEWMO) for the proper handling of the owl.

Artillero told CEWMO personnel he saw the owl struggling to free itself from the barb wired fence. Recalling what he saw on television about endangered owls, the farmer decided to seek the help of their community leader. (Nel B. Andrade)

Preparedness Fund

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Pampanga provincial government has allotted some P43 million calamity fund for 2012. The Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has passed a resolution favorably approving the reprogramming of P43 million of the 2012 calamity fund for disaster preparedness and rehabilitation purposes.

At least P12 million of the funds will be used for repair and rehabilitation of affected infrastructure and P10.25 million will be utilized for agricultural programs and services. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Mild Quake

SINAIT, Ilocos Sur — A mild quake with 3.3 magnitude rocked some areas in Ilocos Sur last Tuesday noon but it didn’t cause any damage, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) satellite office here.

Phivolcs Researcher Porferio Peralta said the 3.3 magnitude quake occurred at about 12:03 p.m last Tuesday with epicenter at 5 kilometers southwest of Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur with a depth of 22 kilometers. He said the quake was tectonic in origin. Meanwhile, Phivolcs also recorded two tectonic mild quakes in Negros province in Visayas last Tuesday.

The first quake was 3.6 magnitude happened at 9:33 a.m. with epicenter located at 16 kilometers northwest of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental province with a depth of 33 kilometers. Intensity 3 was felt in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental. (Freddie Lazaro)

Schools Donation

BINAN, Laguna — An exclusive international school turned over several televisions and sports balls for use of 34 public secondary schools in a simple ceremony held at the city hall last Tuesday.

Brentville International School officials Kirk Lamb, Heather Atkins and Father Benjamin Hansel turned over 10 televisions and balls for soccer, rugby, and volleyball to the public school principals. The donation was witnessed by City Mayor Marlyn Alonte and members of Sangguniang Panglunsod. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

Forest Razed

CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur — At least 10 hectares of forest land were destroyed by fire in the mountainous areas in Barangay Bussawit, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur last Tuesday, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Magsingal town fire marshall Teddy Fariñas said, the fire was immediately controlled and extinguished with the help of fire bureaus and local residents from the towns of San Juan, Santo Domingo and San Ildefonso.

Lito Oandasan, a resident of Barangay Bussawit, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, reported the presence of the grassfire to authorities. (Freddie G. Lazaro)