BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya (PNA) — Two giant food chains and a shopping mall are set to build their own branches in this town this year, sending hopes for a brighter income for the local government unit and comfort among the villagers. Vice Mayor Arnel Hernandez said three big food companies such as Jollibee Food Corporation, Save More and Robinsons Galleria will be put up in this second-class commercial town. “We are very optimistic about it because it will not only bring additional taxes to our municipality but it will give comfort and employment among our villagers,” Hernandez said. Hernandez said construction works are now going on within the sites of the proposed food chains along the national highway here.

Isabela Day

ILAGAN, Isabela (PNA) — The provincial government has declared May 11, 2012 a special non-working holiday in celebration of the 156th founding anniversary of Isabela. Gov. Faustino Dy III said this would give Isabelinos time to witness and participate in the celebration. Isabela Day will be highlighted with the visit of Malaysian Prince Tunku Naquiyuddin Ja’afar. Ja’afar will be visiting the province as partner in the fight against dengue. Dy recently visited Malaysia. Alvin Paras, information officer, said Ja’afar will be visiting the Gov. Faustino Dy Sr. Memorial Hospital, the Lingap Center and the Women and Children Protection Center.

Bataan Scholars

CAPITOL, Bataan — As part of the government’s education program, the provincial government and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have been sponsoring the scholarship of poor but deserving students in the province. The DOST has also approved the scholarship of 37 bright students who passed the coveted scholarship program of the DOST and will enjoy full scholarship and monthly stipend and other benefits from the national government. According to DOST-Bataan, 34 of the students passed for the RA 7687 category of the 2012 Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarships in which they will be given P6,000 per semester for tuition fee, P5,000 book allowance annually, and one roundtrip fare for those studying outside the province. (Mar T. Supnad)

Entrepreneurs

IBA, Zambales — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Zambales, in partnership with the Office of the Vice Governor, has trained around 50 new businessmen in a two-day Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) in San Marcelino town last week. The new entrepreneurs, who are Botika Natin outlet operators from different barangays in the province, received training in basic business processes such as creating a financial statement, income and cash flow system. The training also provided the participants with skills to be able to create business plans for projects under the “Kabuhayan Natin” program. (Jonas Reyes)

Antipolo Reunion

ANTIPOLO CITY — The provincial government based in this upland city is calling on all the capitol’s past and present scholars to attend their first ever grand reunion to be held at the Ynares Center here on Saturday. Records from the office of Rizal Governor Casimiro “Junjun” Ynares III show that some 7,500 scholars received the Rizal College Scholarship otherwise known as “Iskolar Ni Gob” and the Student Assistance Program since 1996. A total of 866 new college scholars this school year have been added to the growing list of beneficiaries of the capitol’s scholarship program. (Nel B. Andrade)