CEBU — Manifesting their interest to actively participate in scouting activities, the members of the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) pledged to donate at least R25,000 each to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Cebu Council. Board Member Sun Shimura, the youngest member, opened up the idea during their regular session last week when they renewed the accreditation of BSP-Cebu Council as a non-government organization operating in the province of Cebu. However, a supplemental budget is needed to appropriate funds for the said purpose. Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy supported Shimura’s suggestion which was carried by the body. (Mars Mosqueda)

P.C.S.O. DONATION

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog received a check worth R732,000 from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in a turnover ceremony held at the City Hall recently. The check was given through PCSO consultant for Visayas and Mindanao Chona Layson-Bondoc. “This is PCSO’s way of helping the victims of a fire that razed more than 200 houses in Tanza-Esperanza, Malipayon and Tanza-Timawa last January,” Mabilog said as he also thanked Bondoc for the financial assistance. He said the amount will be used to augment earlier financial and material assistance given by the Iloilo City Government and other private organizations to the fire victims.

FUN RUN

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — Eastern Visayas is set to conduct the first ever fun run for disaster awareness in the region on Sunday, July 22.  Dubbed “Takbo Para Sa Kaligtasan,” the fun run is part of the celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month, said Office of Civil Defense OIC Rey Gozon, who is also chairman of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for Eastern Visayas. “The Fun Run is among the series of activities in our continuous effort to make everyone aware of the importance of disaster preparedness,” Gozon said. He added that the activity will be conducted at 4 a.m., starting from the Leyte Provincial Capitol and will move towards San Juanico Bridge.

GAWAD KALASAG

BACOLOD CITY (PIA) — The Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council’s (BCDRRMC) nomination for Gawad Kalasag 2012, Search for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reduction & Management and Humanitarian Assistance, for highly-urbanized city category in the regional level, had moved up to the national level after the Regional Validation Team came over recently for a field assessment and validation, giving the Council a 96.05 percent rating. The Chamber Volunteer Fire Brigade was also assessed under the Private Organizations category.

HOUSING FAIR

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) is preparing to host this year’s housing fair on Aug. 6-12. HUDCC regional coordinator Eva Marfil said the weeklong activity will provide a one-stop-shop for those interested to purchase a property as it will gather various developers in Panay likewise financing agencies in one venue. One developer from Cebu has also expressed interest to join the housing exhibit to cater to those interested to own properties in Cebu. A list of foreclosed assets of government shelter agencies will also be made available.