SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE — Korean shipbuilding company Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction, Inc. (HHIC) is set to increase the number of workers inside this premier Freeport amid a rise in the number of ship orders this year. HHIC-Phils., Inc. currently employs nearly 20,000 local employees and continues to generate more indirect job and business opportunities in the surrounding communities. Jin Kyu Ahn, president of the Korean shipbuilder giant, said that once targets for ship orders are reached this year, Hanjin could add over 10,000 workers which "would clearly benefit the Philippine economy, and bring opportunities to Filipino entrepreneurs and skilled workers, and much needed revenue to the Philippine government." (Jonas Reyes)

Cheaper Fuel

MARIVELES, Bataan — The petroleum products sold by Petron gas station here are cheaper than those sold in other gasoline stations, thanks to the benefits given by the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) to thousands of motorists. Atty. Emil Reyes, manager of Petron gas station here, said their products are cheaper by more than P2 to P4 compared to those sold in other gas stations due to the tax exemption given by the FAB, the fast emerging economic hub in Central Luzon. FAB has its own charter giving tax benefits not only to investors but also to the Petron gasoline station here benefiting thousands of motorists, according to FAB chairman and administrator Deo Custodio.  (Mar T. Supnad)

Risk Reduction

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Central Luzon has come up with early plans to strengthen the disaster risk reduction in the region as it is expected to experience typhoons and floods once the rainy seasons start. OCD reported that the disaster management teams in the region have already approved the provisional Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)3 Plan for 2012. The plan includes the assessment of risk and vulnerability, assessment of capabilities and assessment of high risk areas in Central Luzon. OCD added that four disaster reduction committees have been organized. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Olongapo Mangroves

OLONGAPO CITY — The city government here has spearheaded the planting of around 7,500 mangrove propagules in connection with its local greening program, with the support of the Community of Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region III office. In a report, City Supervising Agriculturist Jhobal Sebarrotin said of the 10,000 mangrove propagules given by BFAR for the project, some 7,500 were planted last month at the Banicain river, West Bajac-Bajac and along Matain Bridge and the Kalaklan river. (Jonas Reyes)

D.O.S.T. Scholarship

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Low-income families may now afford to send their children to school with the scholarship being offered to deserving students. Engr. Felipe D. Andrada, director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Pangasinan Science and Technology Center (STC),  said students who wish to enroll in high school for school year 2013-2014 may apply for scholarship to the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) sponsored by the DOST. (Liezle Basa Inigo)