SINAIT, Ilocos Sur — A moderately strong earthquake measuring 4.1 magnitude jolted Ilocos Sur and some parts of the Cordilleras Thursday, but this did not cause any casualties or damage to property, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) based here said. The quake, which was felt at 8:09 a.m., Thursday, originated about four kilometers southwest of Lagangilang, Abra. Intensity IV was felt in Bontoc, Mountain Province; Lagawe, Ifugao; Balbalan, Kalinga; and Lagangilang, Bucloc and San Juan in Abra. Meanwhile, Intensity III was recorded in Baguio City and Candon City. Earlier at 12:50 a.m., a 3.4-magnitude tremor was detected three kilometers northwest of Kawayan, Biliran. (Ellalyn B. de Vera and Freddie G. Lazaro)

B.I. CITES INFLUX OF STUDENTS

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — More foreigners are flocking this province for cheaper but high-quality schools offering English language efficiency subjects, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Ricardo David revealed. “The Filipinos are good in the English language and tuition here is cheaper, thus, attracting more foreign students to enroll in our schools,” David said during a recent visit to the BI Office here. He said most of those who have enrolled in learning institutions here are Koreans and Chinese. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

‘SARGUHAN 2012’

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — The most-awaited ceremonial break (sargo) in the Bulacan Invitational Media 9-Ball “Sarguhan 2012” will be done tomorrow by Governor Wilhelmino  M. Sy-Alvarado and Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Director for Operations Emelito Sarmiento at the Paradise Resort here. Alvarado said the province of Bulacan is proud to host this year's media 9-ball tournament which aims to foster camaraderie among working journalists in the National Capital Region and in Central and Northern Luzon. (Freddie C. Velez)

P.C.C.I.I. AWARDS GOV. KHALIL MITRA

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Palawan Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (PCCII) awarded recently Palawan Governor Abrham Kahlil Mitra for outstanding public service at the celebration of the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act (SEP) Law held at Palawan Convention Center, here. The award given by PCCII to Mitra was for his efforts to boost public transparency and accountability. The PCCII cited his HEAT Program, which stands for Health, Education, Agriculture, and Tourism, for helping boost the economic development in the province. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

2-IN-1 MANGROVE TARGET REACHED

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The Provincial Government-Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO) announced yesterday that the number of mangrove propagules planted in the “Quezon 2-In-1” project has reached 2,680,640. A total of 194 coastal barangays were the sites of mangroves planting in 34 towns clustered, said Provincial Administrator and acting Environment Officer Rommel Edaño. Edaño said that the next step is to secure the propagules to survive and the planting areas be manned by the villagers under a government incentive program. (Danny Estacio)