MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — Local and foreign tourists who visited here early yesterday were overwhelmed by the magic of modern technology used to project a life-size statue of a sitting Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the First Philippine Republic, flanked by key figures of the Malolos Congress. This is just one of the main attractions at the newly renovated and modernized Barasoain Church Historical Museum inaugurated last Saturday by top officials. The museum has five galleries where the first two will introduce visitors by explaining the backdrop to the Malolos Congress. (Freddie C. Velez)

HEROISM AWARD

BACOOR CITY, Cavite — The Bacoor City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC) was a recipient of “Bakas Parangal ng Kabayanihan” Award, it was learned yesterday. Mayor Strike B. Revilla, chairman of BDRRMC, received the award from National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in a simple ceremony held recently at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. “Bakas Parangal” is a recognition given by the NDRRMC to units, groups or individuals who performed and accomplished exemplarily and extraordinarily during calamities or disasters. (Anthony Giron)

ZAMBALES R.P.T., QUARRY TAXES UP

IBA, Zambales — Zambales Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. reported over the weekend a sharp increase in collections of the province’s taxes, which will be infused in his administration’s priority programs for the poor. “We have continued to increase collections of Real Property Tax by 78.5 percent from January to June this year as compared with the same period last year,” said Ebdane who added that taxes from quarry products rose by 226.5 percent. He said the figures stand proof to his effective leadership apart from the recognition of good governance the Capitol gained from the assessment of the Department of the  Interior and Local Government since 2011. (Mar T. Supnad)

JOBS FAIRS

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Three jobs fairs will highlight celebration in Pangasinan of the National Statistics Month in October, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Alex Ferrer revealed yesterday. Ferrer said one jobs fair will be in Eastern Pangasinan on October 3, another is in Western Pangasinan on October 15, and the third is in Central Pangasinan on October 16. The Philippine Regulation Commission is also set to conduct another “Agew na Propesyonal” here on October 12 where professionals can avail of the various services of the agency without going up to Baguio City where PRC’s main office is located. Other activities include contests, livelihood trainings and self-improvement seminars. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

CHILD PROTECTION

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Governor David C. Suarez has issued Executive Order no. 18 renaming and strengthening its campaign against trafficking in persons and violence against women and children into Provincial Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence against Women and Children (PCAT-VAWC), said here yesterday. Suarez said there is now a stronger resolve by the Capitol, through this agency, to institute policies and programs for the protection of women and children being victims of trafficking and violence. (Danny Estacio)