SILANG, Cavite — Vice President Jejomar C. Binay is the homecoming guest of honor at 32nd grand alumni homecoming of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) which will have three days of activities starting today at Camp Gen. Mariano M. Castañeda in this town.

The homecoming is a traditional prelude to the PNPA Graduation Day. The three-day PNPA homecoming program will include a fun run, cycling and tree planting activities, trade fair and business exposition, thanksgiving mass, parade and awarding ceremonies, sky-diving and drill exhibitions, so-called Pampering Corner (massage, haircut, manicure, pedicure, foot spa and hair & make up demonstrations), photo booth presentations, and variety shows. (Anthony Giron)

Women’s Health 

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — Two non-government organizations based here organized recently a series of seminars on breast cancer awareness and healthy lifestyle as their contribution to the celebration of Women’s Month.

The Soroptimist International (SI) of Antipolo and the Gift 2 Life Foundation conducted free lectures on breast cancer awareness through a tie-up with the city government.

Lawyer Menchie Leyble, who is the executive assistant for social services of the city, coordinated with Dr. Cristina Santos of the Gift 2 Life Foundation to provide free check up and screening to the hundreds of women who trooped to the Antipolo National High School here. (Nel B. An-drade)

Disaster Response At 2012 ‘Balikatan’ 

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — This year’s Balikatan military exercise will focus mostly on disaster response for a strong earthquake, simulating last year’s deadly earthquake that almost destroyed Japan. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said this year’s exercise will not only be participated by the US and Philippine military troops but would also train civilian government agencies tasked in disaster response management.

The exercises will run from April 16 to 26. (Jonas Reyes)

Gender Review 

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The Lucena City Gender and Development Council (GADC) is scheduled to review the gender and development code, Councilor Lenny Papa said Thursday.

Papa said Mayor Barbara Ruby Talaga wants the city government to be responsive in advocating gender sensitivity, women’s rights and women eco-nomic empowerment.

“The GAD council will intensify its campaign for women to be aware on the laws protecting women’s rights like anti-violence against women and children, Magna Carta of women and trafficking in persons act,” said Papa, who is the GADC focal person in the City Council. (Danny Estacio)

400 Join Women’s Rights Forum 

SAN FERANDO CITY, Pampanga — More than 400 participants from various sectors attended Forums on the Rights of Women in Zambales and Pampanga as part of the celebration of the International Women’s Month (IWM).

With the theme “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability, Everyone’s Responsibility,” the events were attended by women employees in both the public and private sector.

Board Member Trina Dizon said that one of the priorities of the provincial government is the enactment of an ordinance concerning women’s benefits, privileges and development. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)