CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar — The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (8ID) based here has a new commanding general. Maj. General Mario Chan who was the 8ID’s commanding general since August 25, 2010 relinquished his command to his successor yesterday, April 3.

The new 8ID commander is Brigadier General Gerardo Layug who was installed in a change of command ceremony presided over by Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, commanding general of the Philippine Army at Camp Lukban command headquarters here. (Restituto A. Cayubit)

4PS Expansion

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PIA) — The government’s poverty reduction program, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps has expanded to extremely poor households to allow members of the families in Western Visayas to meet certain human development goals.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman said during a recent visit to Iloilo City that the 4Ps program addresses the basic unit of the society, which is the family, by focusing on education and health. Soliman was in Iloilo City to lead in the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the expansion of the 4Ps in the region.

Avoid Carelessness

SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — The Bureau of Fire Protection in San Jose listed human carelessness as the main reason for fire incidences. Fire Officer I John Randolph Baria, Information Officer of San Jose Fire Station said in January 1 - December 31, 2011 all fire incidents listed in the area were caused by human carelessness, including poor housekeeping, improper use of electrical equipment, improper handling of flammable liquids, overloaded electrical outlets and excessive accumulation of rubbish.

Fires were also caused by changing original design, where residential houses are turned to boarding houses, classrooms to motor repair shops or houses turned into welding shops or vulcanizing shops prone to fire occurrences.

No Merrymaking

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — Tanjay, Negros Oriental will trim down its fiesta celebration this year in deference to Holy Week. Tanjay City’s 11th Charter Day this year falls during Holy Week. Charter day celebration chairman, city councilor Uldarico Ramirez, said the the fiesta has been toned down because of Holy Week.

“We decided to set aside the usual revelries and focus only on the needed, traditional programs,” said Ramirez. The fiesta kicked off last April 1 with a Thanksgiving Mass followed by Tanjay City Mayor Lawrence Teves’ State of the City Address (SOCA) and a civic parade around the city.

Roxas Pacs

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA6) — Two Passenger Assistance Centers (PAC) were put up by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) – Roxas City Station at Barangays Culasi port and Banica wharf here in time for this year’s Holy Week celebration. PCG – Roxas City Acting Station Commander LJG Jimmy Oliver Vingno said that the PAC initiative is in line with the Department of Transportation and Communication’s “Ligtas – Biyahe Kwaresma” program.

PCG is under the DOTC. PCG – Roxas City Station boasts of its 25-foot rescue speed boat given by the Capiz provincial government. With the expected influx of passengers, PCG will also intensify the Mandatory Pre-Departure Inspection (MPDI) to prevent over-crowding and over-loading of vessels.