TAYABAS  CITY, Quezon — Governor David C. Suarez launched yesterday the first Advanced English Proficiency Training and Global Competitiveness Assessment Tools (AdEPT- GCAT) training program with the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) for 50 government college English language teachers at the Quezon Science High School building in Barangay Isabang, here. The training program will run until May 30 to aid teachers in preparing graduates for the Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) industry and help answer to the problem on unemployment in the province. (Danny Estacio)

200 BENEFICIARIES

LUBAO, Pampanga — More than 200 people benefited from the Pampanga provincial government’s joint livelihood program with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), it was learned yesterday. Provincial Cooperative and Entrepreneurial Development Officer (PCEDO) Mamerto Gatus said that the one-day event aimed to provide beneficiaries with adequate knowledge and information on various development programs and services of partner –agencies which they can avail themselves of, their family-members included. (Franco G. Regala)

CRIME RATE DOWN IN AURORA

BALER, Aurora — This small province continues to hold the title as the most peaceful place in Central Luzon as it posted a significant decrease in crime rate by 74 percent in the first five months of the year compared with the same period last year, the Aurora Provincial Police Office (APPO) reported. Two towns in the province – Dinalungan and Dilasag – also posted two of the least number of crime incidents in the country over the same period, averaging only one crime incident per month. Meanwhile, police operatives confiscated at least 160 kilograms of fishes caught through dynamite at a checkpoint on the national highway in Barangay Poblacion, San Juan, this province last Saturday. Bureau of Fisheries and Acquatic Resources (BFAR) Examiner Margarita Santiago said charges and penalties will be faced by truck driver Rolando Daruyo, 37; truck owner Jojo Fernandez, 38; and others found to be involved in the illegal catch. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel and Freddie G. Lazaro)

TARLAC FESTIVAL

TARLAC CITY, Tarlac — The provincial government is inviting its citizens and tourists to witness the first-ever Kuran-Tayab Festival which highlights the celebration of the province’s 139th Founding Anniversary. Kuran-Tayab is a nine-day festivity derived from an Ilocano word for clay pot. Asuncion Fronda, head of the Provincial Information, Investment and Tourism Office, said they chose to use the title because majority of Tarlaquenos are Ilocanos. (Mark Anthony Manuel)

DISASTER-READY

CALUMPIT, Bulacan — Concrete steps are now being undertaken to mitigate the effects of climate change on the livelihood and economic state of citizens of this province. Learning from the lessons of past destructive typhoons as “Pedring” and “Quiel,” officials led by Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Rep. Ma. Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado held a disaster preparedness meeting to discuss programs such as small business upgrading, protection of Angat Dam and other dams, and closer coordination with concerned national government agencies. (Freddie C. Velez)