LAGUNA – President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared a special non-working day in Calamba City and the whole province of Laguna on June 19 in celebration of the 151st birth anniversary of the country’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Under Proclama¬tion No. 399 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa with the authority of President Aqui¬no, June 19 has been declared holiday for residents of Laguna to give them the opportunity to celebrate Rizal's birth anniver¬sary. The celebration in Calamba City, with the theme “Buhay at Obra ni Rizal: Huwaran ng Kabayanihan, Gabay tungo sa tawid na daan," will be held at the city plaza with a flower of¬fering at Rizal shrine tomorrow morning. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

Free Training

BINANGONAN, Rizal – The town’s force multipliers in fight¬ing criminality underwent free training courtesy of the police¬men here, as part of the police station’s anti-crime program. Chief Inspector Bartolome Marigondon, chief of police in this lakeshore municipality of the province led Police Community Relations personnel in lecturing on the role of the village peace¬keepers locally known as “ba¬rangay tanod” in the anti-crimi¬nality campaign of the Philippine National Police and the local government. Seminar on first re¬sponder’s roles, laws on Republic Act 7610, 9344, and 9262, were given to the village peacekeep¬ers to aide them in their daily routine of providing security, the legal way, in their respective community. (Nel Anrade)

Enough Stocks

LAOAG CITY (PIA) – It’s all systems go for the provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council as the typhoon season has began. Engr. Pedro Agcaoili, head of the Provincial Planning and Develop¬ment Council (PDRRMC), said Ilocos Norte has set aside a suf¬ficient stockpile of relief goods like rice, canned goods, noodles, drinking water, and beddings for residents who will be displaced during calamities. “We have the goods ready for dispatch. Our heavy equipment are on standby for immediate clearing opera¬tions.”

Road Project

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) – Officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways have started to consult various sectors who will be affected by the opening and construction of the Dalton Pass Alternate Road Project (DPARP) here. Repre¬sentative Carlos Padilla said the consultation was conducted last June 14 at the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) in this town. The 68-kilometer project which will also entail the con¬struction of a 900-meter tunnel along the mountains of Nueva Vizcaya’s southern part, requires the national government of P5.9-billion funding requirements.

Youth Affairs

STA. CRUZ, Laguna (PIA) –The Youth Development Affairs (YDA) under the office of the governor of Laguna was rec-ognized and accredited by the United Nations Education, Sci¬entific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) through its National Association of UNESCO Clubs in the Philippines (NAUCP) Inc. last June 11. YDA is now part of a global people's movement that develops understanding and support for UNESCO and its programs. UNESCO Clubs seek to disseminate UNESCO’s ideals and undertake activities directly encouraged by the Organization; expand cultural horizons; and provide an invaluable service to UNESCO and to the National Commissions for UNESCO in supplementing public informa¬tion activities.