CABANATUAN CITY – President Aquino has officially proclaimed the conversion of this city into a Highly Urbanized City (HUC). In a two-page proclamation dated July 4, President Aquino stated, “… it is the declared policy of the government to support local governments’ initiative to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities and make them effective partners in the attainment of national goals,” adding that the proclamation” shall take effect only upon ratification in a plebiscite by the qualified voters, as provided for in Section 453 of the Local Government Code of 1991.”

BATAAN CHARM

MARIVELES, Bataan — To provide an easier access for tourists to the famous Camaya Coast here, which is dubbed the “Boracay of Bataan,” the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) has announced that more ferryboat trips will ply the Manila-FAB-Camaya route. FAB said the Camaya management has announced more ferry trip schedules that will regularly ply the Manila-Camaya Coast-FAB route. The deployment of additional ferry trips came following the rising number of tourists going to the Camaya coast, now becoming popular due to its beach with crystal clear waters, rolling hills, and spectacular views. (Mar Supnad)

ANGELES HOLIDAY

ANGELES CITY – The city government here announced yesterday that July 27 will be a non-working holiday in the city, in line with the commemoration of the founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). Ordinance No. 263, Series of 2009, says that this holiday was approved by former City Mayor Francis Nepomuceno, and concurrent City Vice Mayor Vicky Cabigting. By 1988, INC has grown to about 2,635 congregations called locales. Based on the INC Web site, 2.3 percent of the population of the country is affiliated with the INC. (Franco Regala)

BIKERS’ AREA

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The number of tourists visiting the Zambales Mountain Range is vastly increasing as the area is becoming the province’s ideal tourism site for mountain bikers. According to BZ Mont Biker Haven owner Reynaldo Reyes, the current number of bikers going to Baranggay Batiawan in Subic is around 10 people a day. “The area is a great place for advance mountain bikers to test their skills while having a place to hangout out,” Reyes said. Around 1,160 feet high, the BZ Mont Biker Haven has established itself as the area’s most frequented establishment, since it is the only establishment in the Zambales Mountain Range that can accommodate not just mountain bikers but off-road enthusiasts as well. (Jonas Reyes)

NEW POLICEMEN

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – A total 545 newly recruited members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are ready to augment the police force in Central Luzon. The rookies were given the rank of Police Officer 1 (PO1). Of the number, 465 are male, while 80 are female. Chief Superintendent Edgardo Ladao said that “to fully prepare yourselves for the demands of your new job, you still have to go through the requisite training. Let me tell you now that your job entails adherence to the PNP motto of service, honor, and justice, and above all maintain the PNP core values of being God-fearing.” (Franco Regala)