SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna — A total of 293 cases of dengue have been recorded in 80 villages in this city since January, City Health Officer Job Brion said yesterday. The figures were recorded from January 1 to July 23 with Barangay Sta. Elena having the highest cases of dengue with 38 followed by Barangay Santiago 1 with 18 cases, and Barangays San Francisco and San Jose with 17 each. To combat the spread of the disease, Brion said communities have been assembled for the “Oplan Kiti-Kiti” dengue prevention campaign which focuses on cleanliness and the destruction of mosquito breeding grounds. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

P.M.L. SUPPORTS G.M.A.’S 2ND RUN 

FLORIDABLANCA, Pampanga — The Pampanga Mayors League (PML) has signified its support for former President now Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who said recently that she will seek a second term as congresswoman in next year’s elections. PML Secretary General and Floridablanca Mayor Eduardo Guerrero said yesterday that Mrs. Arroyo’s constituents are clamoring for her continued service as representative in Congress of this town and the towns of Porac, Lubao, Sta. Rita , Guagua and Sasmuan. “It is the people who want her to run for a second term so… we are behind her and pray for her,” Guerrero said. (Franco G. Regala)

CHARMP-II ON-AIR

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A radio program that seeks to help Kalinga farmers increase their agricultural productivity will soon air at DZRK Radyo ng Bayan. The Second Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resources Management Program (CHARMP II) sub-committee on information and knowledge management (IKM) approved the conduct of radio program to disseminate CHARMP’s activities to be launched on July 31. The program will air from 6-6:30 a.m. and will be alternately anchored by the members of the sub-committee and co-anchored by DZRK. (PIA)

MEDICAL MISSION AIDS SUDIPEN FOLK

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union — A total of 672 patients from different barangays in Sudipen, La Union, benefitted from  the recent Medical, Optical and Dental Mission Outreach Program conducted by the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) in partnership with the Arts, Business and Science Professionals (ABS) Party-list. ABS Party-list Rep. Catalina Leonen-Pizarro said 345 patients availed themselves of free medical check-ups; 251 had free optical services; and 76 patients had a free dental check-up and tooth extraction. Chief Superintendent Franklin J.B. Bucayu, PRO1 director, said social responsibility programs that benefit the community has already been a tradition for the PRO1. (Liezle Basa Iñigo and Freddie G. Lazaro)

JINGLE CONTEST

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — Philippine vegetables took the center stage as 14 schools in this city competed for the best jingle composition on nutrition. Dr. James Guzman, city health officer, said the activity is part of the Nutrition month celebration in the city under the theme, “Pagkain Ng Gulay Ugaliin, Araw-Araw Nating Itong Ihain.” Elementary and secondary schools, both private and public, submitted jingles emphasizing the importance of vegetables in the diet of growing children. (PIA)