VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — More attractive events are lined up for this year’s “World Heritage Cities Solidarity Cultural Festival” which started yesterday in this city. Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina said the festival will run until September 9 and features a food and trade fair participated in by at least 108 exhibitors from various provinces in Northern Luzon and Bicol region. “Our annual Solidarity Cultural Festival that coincides with the UNESCO World Heritage Cities Solidarity Day is a festivity of the arts, culture, values and traditions that promotes and establish our commitment in protecting our tangible and intangible heritage,” she said. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

N.T.C. AMNESTY

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Noting the existence of so-called “colorum” local radio stations in Central Luzon, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has proposed the granting of amnesty to make their operations legal. The NTC invited professional and amateur radio users, dealers, and broadcasters as well as socio-civic organizations, local government units, non-government organizations, and safety officers of private companies in Central Luzon to join the inaugural RADSHOW slated on September 7 and 8 at the SMX convention center in Mall of Asia. NTC Regional Director Azor Sitchon said the event promises to discuss the amnesty issue. (Mar T. Supnad)

CAUSE OF FLOODS KNOWN — D.P.W.H.

MASANTOL, Pampanga — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has identified the illegal structures and houses along Pampanga River as the “culprits” in the long-time problem of flooding in this town. DPWH first engineering district officer-in-charge Engr. Rico Guilas noted Tuesday that fishponds and other illegal structures constructed within the Pampanga River channel prevent the free flow of water coming from the upstream. Guilas stated that as per decision of the Supreme Court, the illegal structures are due to be demolished after the rainy season. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

R.1M.C. EXPANSION

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — Residents here expressed yesterday gratitude to Rep. Gina de Venecia, who filed House Bill 3840, an act increasing the bed capacity of Region I Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan City. “This will be a great help to residents and nearby provinces who opted to be diagnosed and confined in Region 1 Medical Center,” a Dagupeño said. De Venecia’s bill for the expansion of the hospital has reached the bicameral committee level in both the Senate and House of Representatives. From a 300-bed capacity, the measure seeks to double this and also increase the hospital’s medical personnel and upgrade its services and facilities. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

I.C.C. HELMETS

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Motorcycle owners can now file their application to Quezon Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office for their helmets’ Import Commodities Clearance (ICC) stickers. DTI’s Business Regulation and Consumers Welfare Division chief Leila Mejia-Cabrera’s there are teams to be deployed in various towns of Quezon conduct for the issuance of ICC stickers in connection with the Republic Act, mandating all motorcycle riders to wear standard protective motorcycle helmet while driving. (Danny Estacio)