CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — In line with its 11th cityhood anniversary of the city government of Calamba, City Mayor Joaquin M. Chipeco acknowledged the city’s top taxpayers at the Testimonial Dinner held at Manila Hotel, recently.

The city’s Premiere Mall, SM City Calamba was also acknowledged by receiving a plaque of appreciation for SM’s valuable contribution to the growth and development of the city through its continuing partnership in various notable infrastructure project, paving a way to a more business-friendly city.

Other companies and establishments that received awards as top tax payers included Nestlé Philippines, PCMP General Merchandise, Ayala Greenfield Golf and Leisure Club, Inc., and Tong Tsing Electronics, Inc., among others. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

‘Green’ Cops

BINANGONAN, Rizal — Every policeman here has to become environmentalist as they are required to plant trees and seedlings on a regular basis. Chief Inspector Bartolome Marigondon, chief of police here, said each policeman has been tasked to plant trees every month as part of the local government’s pro-environment initiative.

Since the assumption of Marigondon two months ago, the Binangonan Police has planted some 400 fruit-bearing and hard wood trees in the mountains and the town’s vacant lots. Policemen here said they have been planting on vacant lots and mountains of this town in line with the program dubbed, “Sampung Milyong Puno: Pamana sa Kinabukasan.” (Nel B. Andrade)

Irrigation Up For Zambales Aetas

BOTOLAN, Zambales — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is fast-tracking a ram pump irrigation project that would provide a steady water supply for more than 890 Aeta families in this municipality. Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala formally launched the project at the Aeta community of Villar here with the assistance of Mayor Nerma Yap, Lubos na Alyansa ng mga Katutubong Aeta sa Sambales President Carlito Domulot, Villar Barangay Captain Palab Cabali, Education for Life Foundation President Larraine Abad-Sarmiento, and DA-3 Regional Executive Director Andrew Villacorta. (Jonas Reyes)

Seniors’ Treat

OLONGAPO CITY, Zambales — Senior citizens can now watch movies for free on selected days at Times Square Cinemas, a subsidiary of Pacific Ace Subic Bay Corporation in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. An Olongapo official unit said that Pacific Ace was the first to act in response to his letter asking theater operators in Olongapo to consider the Olongapo City Council Resolution No. 116, series of 2011, requesting all cinema operators to grant complimentary admission for Olongapo City senior citizens. The schedule is on the first screening on Mondays and Tuesdays, said Times Square Cinemas Manager Roldan Escala said. (Jonas Reyes)

‘Palaro’ Secured

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union — The Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) assured yesterday tight security operations at the various venues of the on-going Palarong Pambansa 2012 in Pangasinan province. Chief Superintendent Franklin Jesus B. Bucayu, said the safety to the athletes and the viewers, following President Aquino’s gracing of the games’ opening ceremony last Monday at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center (NRSCC) in Lingayen, Pangasinan, will continue to be the PRO1’s priority. (Freddie G. Lazaro and Liezle Basa Iñigo)