ARAYAT, Pampanga — Pampanga Governor Lilia G. Pineda led the other day the distribution of P250,000 intended for the families living at the Apalit-Arayat setback levee under the government’s Disaster Mitigation Assistance Program. The governor appealed to the representatives of the 10 affected families in the Cupang, Arayat portion of the setback levee to vacate their premises immediately and to seek safer ground to keep their family safe from possible danger caused by flash floods. The residents were assisted by village chief Orlan Buan Salac who vowed to work for the relocation of the informal settlers. (Franco G. Regala)

A.F.A.B. SHOOTFEST

FREEPORT AREA OF BATAAN — The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) set a three-day shooting competition among gun enthusiasts on September 28-30. All legitimate gun holders are invited to the event dubbed as the “1st AFAB Chairman’s Cup,” named after its chairman Atty. Deo Custodio,  the Level II Philippine Practical Shooting Association (PPSA)-Sanctioned Shooting Competition will be held at the Mt. Samat Firing Range in Barangay Diwa, Pilar, Bataan. Expected to participate in the shooting competition are Rep. Abet S. Garcia, 2nd district-Bataan, also a sharp shooter; Mayor Jesse Concepcion of Mariveles town; Mayor Charlie Pizarro of Pilar town, a World champion in shooting; traders and top executives in AFAB; members of the Community Investigative Support (CIS). (Mar T. Supnad)

ANGAT DRILL

CALUMPIT, Bulacan — Fighting capacity for a “worse scenario” in case the Angat Dam in Norzagaray town bursts during an earthquake, thousands of Bulakeños came out to train and prepare for such an emergency with the government’s emergency response teams last Monday. Alvarado said that the earthquake drill was conducted by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as part of their 3rd quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill for critical infrastructure, like Angat Dam. Officials of Ipo and Bustos dams will also activate their own emergency action plans. (Freddie C. Velez)

HOSPITAL EXPANSION

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — The proposed increase of the bed capacity of Region I Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan City only proves that it is being patronized not only by Dagupeños but also by residents of nearby provinces, Rep. Gina de Venecia said yesterday. Recently, she filed House Bill 3840, an act increasing the bed capacity of R1MC in this city. “Its' been 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. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

YOUTH TILT

STA. CRUZ, Laguna — The Philippine Red Cross Laguna Chapter held last Monday the “Youth First Aid Challenge”  at the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), here. Thirteen elementary schools and 13 high schools competed in the whole-day activities. Aside from the quiz bee on giving first aid, each team competed in situational analysis and responding to emergencies. The activity was supported by One Meralco Foundation who believes in the objective of promoting safety awareness to students under Red Cross Youth program by providing a venue for skills development in the field of First Aid. (Ferdinand F. Castro)