CAINTA, Rizal — Members of a multi-sectoral group based in this municipality have vowed to continue protecting the Cainta River from all sources of man-made pollutants as part of their mission to prevent flooding in this town. This came as Mayor Ramon “Mon” Ilagan led the induction of the new set of officers of the Cainta River Council (CRC) recently at the Peoples Center here. Elected as the new chairperson is Mrs. Veron Ilagan; Vice Chairman, Manny Jacob; President, Prof. Norman Idanan, who also heads the Cainta Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office; Vice President Ana Liza Francisco; Secretary Marissa Bechayda; Treasurer, Ret. Col. Rafael Altamera and Edgar Nuevorlanda as the group’s auditor. (Nel B. Andrade)

T.E.S.D.A. PROGRAM EYES FREE PORTS

MARIVELES, Bataan — In preparation for the opening of various multi-national companies to invest in the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), here, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will enter into an agreement with the administrations of the FAB, the Clark Development Corporation, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority for the promotion of its skills training program among locators in freeport zones. TESDA Director-General Joel Villanueva said the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be held on July 4 in Angeles City. TESDA’s programs are already being promoted in this municipality. (Mar T. Supnad)

SPORTS TOURISM

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT— The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) expressed optimism for the future of sports tourism in this free port, after it successfully hosted another international triathlon on Sunday. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia said the first Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon, which drew more than 600 foreign and Filipino triathletes, will carry the torch for Subic in the international sporting circuit for the next three years. “We are surely gaining ground as far as sports tourism is concerned,” Garcia said in after the inaugural run. (Jonas Reyes)

COASTAL PLANNING FOR LUCENA CITY

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — A two-day conference will gather the city’s planning and agriculture offices to meet with Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) officials for better management of its coastal areas. Chief partners in this endeavor are village leaders who will join the two-day planning event. Quezon PENRO Officer-in-Charge Forester Alfredo Palencia said village officials, police maritime personnel, “Bantay Dagat” and environmental groups will discuss issues affecting the river and sea such as waste management, coastal zoning, and promoting sustainable development in the livelihood-rich areas. (Danny Estacio)

D.T.S. TRAINING 

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — Around 50 companies and 30 public and private technical-vocational institutions across Central Luzon will sign an agreement for the delivery of Dual Training System (DTS) that aims to provide world-class technical trainings for Filipino blue collar workers. An adaptation from the German model, DTS is a modality that combines theoretical and practical training as learning takes place in two venues such as the school or training center and the company or workshop.  In DTS, the school and workplace share the responsibility of providing trainees with well-coordinated learning experiences and opportunities. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)