PROVINCIAL CAPITOL, Bataan — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has launched  its “Blood Samaritan Partnership Program” with several government hospitals in Central Luzon in a bid to solicit more blood donations. During the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the PRC and the Bataan General Hospital, PRC Chairman Dick Gordon said, “Through donations collected by the PRC, the costs involved in the provision of blood to indigent patients will now be completely covered by our Blood Samaritan Fund.” Bataan 2nd District Rep. Abet S. Garcia lauded and welcomed the partnership. (Mar T. Supnad)

COMPUTER LITERACY

MARILAO, Bulacan — A computer literacy seminar will be conducted here to facilitate and enhance communication between family members living distantly from one another. Among the topics that will be discussed in the seminar slated on August 30 at 2 p.m. at SM City Marilao are introduction to computer parts, basic MS office applications and web surfing. Partnering for this endeavor are SM Global Pinoy Center (GPC) and Informatics. Mitch Daza, GPC supervisor, said that seminar-workshop offers a hands-on training on email, internet surfing and social networking and use of Skype and Wi-Fi in order to keep the good Filipino tradition of keeping families closely-knit. (Freddie C. Velez)

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Leaders of local government units (LGUs) in this province, especially this city, vowed yesterday to pay tribute to the legacy of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo by continuing his thrust for good governance. Quezon Governor David C. Suarez, Lucena City Mayor Barbara Ruby Talaga and former City Mayor and now City Administrator Ramon Y. Talaga Jr. expressed deep sadness over Robredo’s early passing. The local government executives said they are one with Robredo in offering the public their best performance in public administration as evidenced by the province’s and city’s Seal of Good Housekeeping awards. (Danny Estacio)

WARNING SYSTEM

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — The city government is urging the residents who are living in danger zones to listen to their local officials’ warnings and directives in order to achieve a zero casualty during times of calamity. This came as the mobile public address (PA) system of the city government has been making the rounds of the city’s disaster prone areas regularly to issue announcements and messages and safety tips on what to do during disasters. City PIO Chief, Reuel Vidal said the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office has identified at least 23 areas which are highly susceptible to either flood or landslide during heavy rains. (Nel B. Andrade)

18 SURVIVE

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union — Eighteen people survived a vehicular accident involving an Isuzu truck and a passenger jeepney in Barangay Alos, Alaminos City, last Wednesday, a belated police report revealed yesterday. Traffic probers said the two vehicles collided head-on at high speed around 8:30 a.m. last Wednesday after the truck veered along the jeepney’s path. The impact of the collision injured 18 people including the drivers with some of them treated for wounds. Police added that while some are still recuperating in the hospital, all have been declared out of danger by attending physicians. (Freddie G. Lazaro)