CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Pampanga Governor Lilia G. Pineda is eyeing the construction of a R100-million mini-dam to control the flow of huge water coming from the upstream of the 2nd district of the province. “This project if realized would save thousands of Kapampangans from the ill-effect of perennial flooding in almost all towns in 2nd district particularly in the downstream portion,” Pineda said. The governor said, the provincial government in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will pilot test the strength of a mini-dam set to be constructed to prevent the flowing of floodwaters in the 2nd district. (Franco G. Regala)

MASS TREATMENT OF FILIRIASIS EYED

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Eighty-five percent of the residents in this city is being targeted by the Department of Health (DOH) for a mass drug treatment to prevent filiriasis or elephantiasis – a parasitic disease that is caused by thread-like nematodes. Doctor Chuchie Diamante revealed that Lucena City and Quezon province were chosen by the DOH because they are among 44 areas in the country provinces with recorded cases of filiriasis. In Quezon there were 18 towns reported cases of the said ailment and through the supposed mass drug treatment it may prevent the occurrence of the disease. (Danny Estacio)

MEDICINE WEEK

MARILAO, Bulacan — To kick off the celebration of Medicine Week, the provincial government is hosting a lay forum on nutrition and breast and cervical cancer for 400 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) today at SM City, here. Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the activity aims to mitigate the cases of breast and cervical cancer in the province as well as to enhance the public image of medicine and the medical profession. Provincial Public Health Officer Dr. Jocelyn Gomez said BHWs play a vital role in improving the country’s health care system. (Freddie C. Velez)

FREE CEMENT FOR BATAAN PROJECTS

MARIVELES, Bataan — A giant cement company and the 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant here recently signed an agreement with the provincial government, giving the latter some 10,000 bags of cement monthly for use in various infrastructure projects. Governor Enrique Garcia said the province will derive from the agreement free cement worth R50 million a year for the construction of infrastructure projects such as school buildings that would be used as evacuation areas during times of calamities. Present during the signing of the contract were John Becker, president of GN Power Plant; Renato Sunico, president of Lafarge Republic Cement and Garcia. (Jonas Reyes)

HELMET STICKERS

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Bataan) urged motorcycle riders to secure standard quality stickers from the DTI. In a press briefing, DTI-Bataan Director Yay Lasam said that all motorcycle riders are required to use helmets that are to ensure their protection in case of accidents as provided for in Republic Act 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Law. “The application for an Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) sticker is very easy. They should just go to DTI with their helmet and one official ID like a driver’s license and accomplish the application form,” said Lasam. (Mar T. Supnad)