IBA, Zambales — The Zambales provincial government, in partnership with private companies and non-government organizations, has launched a mass-based livelihood program designed to create more income for residents and to revolutionize the local economy. Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said the Pangkabuhayang Panghabangbuhay Program (POGE Zambales) would boost household income and expands the province’s tax base by developing more local entrepreneurs. “We need revenues to be able to pursue the programs for development that we have lined up for Zambales. But we do not want to tax the residents more than what they are paying now. So, our strategy is to create more taxpayers,” Ebdane said. (Jonas Reyes)

BACOOR HOLIDAY

BACOOR CITY, Cavite — Local officials here are celebrating the 401st founding anniversary of this city with various activities set in the area. President Aquino declared September 29, Saturday, as a special non-working day in the city to give the officials and local residents more time to celebrate the occasion. City Mayor Strike B. Revilla and his administration have scheduled seven days of various activities dubbed “Bakood Festival” starting September 24, Monday, for the anniversary celebration, the first-ever under the new city. (Anthony Giron)

SEA PROJECT

ILAGAN CITY (PNA) — The provincial government of Isabela has provided four fast sea vessels to the police maritime group based at the coastal town of the province. Sr. Supt. Franklin Moises R. Mabanag, Isabela Provincial Police Office (IPPO) chief, said the sea crafts will be used by the maritime police to guard the sea waters of Isabela, particularly at the stretch of sea coast of the four coastal towns against illegal fishing. The coastal town seas that will be guarded by the maritime police are the towns of Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan and Dinapigue, all of which possessed rich sea resources.

P.W.D. PROGRAM

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (PNA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here Wednesday gave an initial number of starter kits to members of the disabled sector in the province in order to start their livelihood projects. Henry Balangatan, DOLE district manager, said they have just turnedover two electronic and one massage kits for the members of the Provincial Federation of Persons with Disabilities (PFPWDs), who manages various livelihood projects within the provincial capitol here. “These kits were initially given as part of our pledged support for the disabled sector. These kits were requested by the PFPWD members as they were identified as priority needs to start the livelihood projects,” Balangatan said.

TREE PLANTING

BAGUIO CITY (PNA) — Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Director Clarence Baguilat has encouraged woodcarvers in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to plant trees to keep their livelihood alive. Most woodcarvers whose artful works found good market here and abroad are mostly from the province of Ifugao. The strict implementation of the total log ban in the region has already affected the woodcarving industry as the craftsmen in the area could now hardly find suitable and available logs or lumber which are the basic raw material of the industry.