The Technology Resource Center (TRC) conducted its first-ever business matching event at the Mabalacat TechnoCenter (MTC) in Pampanga last Friday, coinciding with the 3rd anniversary of the Open-Technology Business Incubators (TBI). It was a joint venture with the Department Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Export Processing Zone (PEZA), and the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) of the University of the Philippines (UP). TRC Director General Dennis L. Cunanan cited the event's goal as opening "an avenue of engagement for both business communities to mutually enhance their productivity and competitiveness.” (Edd K. Usman)

COP EDUCATION

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union — A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO 1) and the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Open University System (DMMMSU-OUS) was inked to open an accessible school for career advancement of police personnel in the region. Chief Superintentendent Franklin J.B. Bucayu said the MOA which he sighed with DMMMSU President Benjamin Sapitula offers education programs to police personnel that will be conducted through Saturday classes and distance education mode. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

M.M.D.A. HELPS OUT CAINTA, CALUMPIT 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) deployed yesterday a total of 120 of its personnel to assist in the clearing of flood-affected areas outside the metropolis such as Cainta in Rizal and Calumpit, Bulacan. Emerson Carlos, MMDA assistant general manager for operations, said the local government units of Cainta and Calumpit, Bulacan appealed for help from the agency, prompting MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino to order MMDA workers to be dispatched from the MMDA central office in Makati City, coordinate with concerned local officials, and start repair and clearing works. (Anna Liza T. Villas)

FLOOD PUZZLE

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — The city government is still puzzled with the regular flooding here during the rainy season and plans on conducting an in-depth study to solve it. City Administrator Vladimir T. Mata admitted that the city has no hard data to explain the cause of sudden flooding experienced by the city in the recent spate of severe weather disturbances. Mata said technical assistance is being provided by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ECLEI), adding that the city is also eyeing a similar partnership with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) for vulnerability and hazard assessments. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

NARVACAN SETS UP FIRST E-LIBRARY

NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur — An electronic library or “e-library” was established in this town to cater the needs of students who do not have computers at home here. The Narvacan e-Library, which is located at the second floor of the People’s Center, is the first of its kind in this province. Mayor Mayor Zuriel S. Zaragoza, who is the brainchild of the project, said the e-library is now operational and serves as an Internet research center for students who can browse through the web to suit their educational and scientific needs. To avail themselves of the facilities of the e-Library, users are only required to pay a one-time membership fee of P150 which entitles them unlimited use of the computers. (Freddie G. Lazaro)