SAN JOSE, Antique (PNA) — Learning to read and write may now be easier for grade 1 pupils in Sibalom town, this province, with the use of a worktext in Kinaray-a written by selected Grade 1 teachers in the town.  Entitled “Buylog Sa Kinaaram,” the Kinaray-a (local dialect in Antique) mother tongue worktext is a project of the Ayala Foundation which provided funds in partnership with the Sibalom local government unit under Mayor Joel Occeña. One of the lesson developers, Prof. Jelyn Alentajan, said the Kinaray-a worktext is part of the Enabling Education Communities (EEC) Project of Ayala Foundation which has chosen Sibalom to be the lone pilot LGU in Western Visayas. The initiative is piloted in five selected municipalities and cities in the country.

I.P.B.D.T.F. SCORES

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) — Nine fishing vessels conducting illegal fishing activities in Northern Iloilo fell in the hands of the Iloilo Provincial Bantay Dagat Task Force (IPBDTF) in their recent operations. The illegal fishing vessels were identified as FB Reymond Joy owned by Rogelio Gabayeron of Concepcion; FB RG Bros owned by Roel De Guzman of Carles; FB Jenelyn owned by Elizabeth Jaen of Estancia; FB Toto Edziel owned by Leziel Arcosa of Carles; FB Jhun Alfred owned by Alfredo Bahate of Estancia; FB Diana owned by Wilfredo Andreo of Estancia; FB Mary Claire owned by Allin Antone of Estancia; FB Queen Alme owned by Lacheca Barsabal of Estancia; and FB Toto Edziel 2 owned by Leziel Arcosa of Carles.

SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET

TALISAY CITY, Cebu (PNA) — The Talisay City Council is set to tackle this year’s first supplemental budget of P18 million, which includes acquisition of some P4.5 million worth of spy cameras in the city. Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez earlier submitted to the council his proposed Supplemental Budget 1 amounting to over P18 million. The biggest chunk of the first supplemental budget will be allocated for maintenance and other operating expenses at P6.2 million. From said supplemental budget, P4.5 million will be allocated for the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in some areas in the city.

N.S.O.-8 SEMINAR

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) — The regional National Statistics Office (NSO-8) conducted yesterday a Regional Data Dissemination Seminar discussing the results of the 2011 Family Health Survey (FHS), 2010 Census of Population and Housing (CPH), and other official statistics. Participants from national government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, the academe, media partners, hospital representatives, among others attended the seminar at Hotel Alejandro here.

MASS WEDDING

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte (PIA) — The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CWSDO) will facilitate the mass wedding of 20 couples in the Roman Catholic Church here on September 8. “Kasalan ng Bayan” project point person, Social Welfare Aide Raymunda Lopez said the couples will be led by Punong Barangay Nikko Mercado and wife. “Some of the couples have been living together for  10 years now,” she said.