LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Local government units (LGUs) in this province may now purchase rice on credit from the National Food Authority (NFA) under a Rice Loan Program agreement between LGUs and the NFA-Western Pangasinan. “It (the program) is designed to cushion the impact of various calamities that may hit the country and will ensure the LGUs' priority access to NFA rice for its immediate relief distribution operations,” said NFA Provincial Manager Beverlyn Peralta. Under the agreement, certain terms and conditions for withdrawal of rice and payment of stock shall be followed based on the NFA Consumers' Price as indicated in the latest Selling Price Bulletin. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

BEST MAYOR

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan of this city now joins a selection of 25 mayors from around the globe who will compete for the 2012 World Mayor Prize. “This is really an unexpected result. As what I have said, being long-listed to receive this award is already a heart-warming acknowledgment,” said Pamintuan after news posted on Monday on the World Mayor Foundation website. Mayors from Israel, Indonesia, South Korea, and Turkey including Pamintuan from the Philippines comprised the Top 5 finalists from Asia. Pamintuan is known for establishing a Renal Care Unit (RCU), improving the City College of Angeles, building Material Recovery Facilities, and planting 1 million trees. (Franco G. Regala)

RESCUE-READY

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — Rescue and disaster management personnel here have been alerted following reports from the state weather bureau of more rains expected throughout the week. As of yesterday, rescue workers in the 14 localities of the province have been instructed to prepare their manpower and logistics for possible heavy rains, floods and landslides. (Nel B. Andrade)

C.I.D.G. REVAMP

PILAR, Bataan — The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Central Luzon implemented a revamp yesterday, affecting three provincial officers (POs) in the region. Bataan CIDG PO, Chief Inspector Rogarth B. Campo, was designated to Tarlac as PO, replacing Chief Inspector Richard V. Caballero. Caballero, in turn, will head the CIDG in Bulacan while Sr. Inspector Roland A. Culiao is designated as the CIDG chief in Bataan. The CIDG is headed by Director Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr. who is responsible for the setting up of a formidable force of Community Investigative Support (CIS) members helping the police intelligence community. (Mar T. Supnad)

P.P.P. HOUSING FOR 158 FAMILIES

STA. ROSA CITY, Laguna — Around 158 families will finally have a place they can call home as the building of the Toyota-City of Santa Rosa-GK Village begins today in Barangay Pulong, Santa Cruz, this city. The Toyota-City of Santa Rosa-GK Village is a public-private partnership (PPP) project among Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), the city government, and Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation. Beneficiaries of the housing program include families situated in the identified relocation site (on-site) and also those occupying the land across the Coca-Cola Plant in Barangay Pulong Santa Cruz (off-site). (Ferdinand Castro)