CAMP GEN. P. RIZAL, Laguna — Laguna Governor Jeorge “E.R.” Ejercito and the Laguna Police Provincial Office (PPO) distributed wooden chairs to the public elementary schools yesterday noon. Senior Supt. Gilberto Cruz, Laguna PPO director said the wooden chairs given were came from the seized illegal logs they operated in different towns in the fourth district of the province. Cruz said at least 3,000 school chairs will be made for thousands of illegal logs confiscated since they started the operation “OPLAN BERDE” last April. The first recipients of wooden chairs are Bagumbayan and Sta. Cruz elementary schools. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

BUTANDING SEEN

SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan — Four whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), locally known as “butanding,” were spotted last weekend in the Lingayen Gulf between Dagupan City and San Fabian town. Fishermen from San Fabian reported to Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC), how the huge marine animals attracted the attention of local folk. Rosario said the visit of the friendly marine giants is due to their search for food, particularly the small fish called “monamon” which is indigenous to the Lingayen Gulf and used locally to make fish paste or “bagoong.” (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

BROWNOUTS SET IN ILOCOS SUR

SANTIAGO, Ilocos Sur — At least seven towns of the 2nd district of this province will experience brownouts on June 1 and June 6 when, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported yesterday. Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO) Spokesperson Clarence Ducusin said the areas to be affected by facility repairs on June 1 are the towns of Narvacan, Santa, Santa Maria, Burgos, San Emilio, Nagbukel, and Lidlidda, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. On June 6, the brownout is from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Narvacan, Santa, Santa Maria, Burgos, San Emilio, Nagbukel, and Lidlidda. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

TRADE FAIR

TAYTAY, Rizal — The province’s native delicacies and local products will once again be showcased in a trade fair in line with the 111th anniversary of the province next week. This came as the Rizal Exporters and Manufacturer’s Incorporated (REMAI) will hold another 10-day trade fair and product exhibition, dubbed as “Alay sa Lalawigan” at SM Taytay’s activity center starting on June 8 as part of the foundation of Rizal. Products to be showcased include world class furniture, accessories, foods, and native delicacies of the 14 localities of the province as well participating towns in Laguna, Cavite and other province in Region 4 according to the Department of Trade and Industry-Rizal Provincial Office. (Nel B. Andrade)

TREE-PLANTING 

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite — Police officers and men have planted some 2,100 tree seedlings at the 4.9 hectare lot of Camp Melencio de Sagun in this city, the future site of Police Provincil Office (PPO). Senior Superintendent John C. Bulalacao, PPO director, wanted to keep the camp clean and green prior to their transfer to the site in 2013. It was the fourth planting activities of the police this year to boost the drive of the government in mitigating the effects of climate change and off-and-on calamities in the country. The three others were held at the vicinity lots of the Philippine National Police Academy in Silang town, Tagaytay City, and Imus. (Anthony Giron)