NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur  —  Operating troops from the Army’s 5th Infantry Division discovered two encampments of New People’s Army (NPA) during a series of security operations in the depressed areas of Isabela province during the celebration of Halloween, it was reported Monday. Col. Miguel T. Puyao, spokesman of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division, told Monday that the NPA encampments were discovered in Barangay Disulap, San Mariano, Isabela province and in Barangay Villa-Robles, Palanan, Isabela.  “Our troops from the army’s 51st Division Reconnaissance Company discovered a newly abandoned NPA camp with structure at Barangay Disulap, San Mariano, Isabela province last Nov. 2, 2012 in which more or less 30 newly constructed makeshift huts (kubo-kubo) with an estimated land area of 100m x 200m with kitchen, potable water source and satellite/cell phone signal were found. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

CORN FARMERS

LUCENA CITY — Quezon Gov. David C. Suarez yesterday announced here that the provincial government has introduced a new program that will provide allocation of R50 million for Farmer’s Productivity Enhancement Program. Suarez said the fund is for corn production for corn farmers’ province-wide to uplift the corn industry. The province is a corn producer and the role of the provincial government in the program that during harvesting season, is to buy the corn in order for them to have a good market price and also to protect their profits. (Danny Estacio)

P.W.D. Assistance

ANTIPOLO CITY — The provincial government here continues to assist the city’s persons with disabilities (PWDs) by providing them a venue for their livelihood activities. This came as Rizal Governor Casimiro “Junjun” Ynares III and the Ynares Center administration have allowed another group of blind musicians from Sitio Ephpheta, San Isidro, to show their talents to the crowd that gathers at the food court of the Governor Ynares Tiangge 2012. The blind musicians performed old songs to the delight of dining customers at the food court of the holiday bazaar that provides livelihood opportunities to micro, small and medium entrepreneurs. (Nel B. Andrade)

‘MALUNGGAY’ PLANT

DAGUPAN  CITY — Fourth district Rep. Gina de Venecia will  soon  establish two malunggay (moringa) processing plants in her home district in Pangasinan. She filed House Bill 6462 to name malunggay the national vegetable. She said she identified and inspected the sites for the malunggay plantations that will be put up in San Fabian and in Barangay Awai, San Jacinto. She added that R25 million will be  allotted for the establishment of malunggay processing plants in the towns. (Liezle  Basa Iñigo )

HOME ACCIDENT

TUGUEGARAO CITY —  A town’s councilor died after he was accidentally electrocuted while placing Christmas lights inside his house Sunday in Barangay Bayabat, Amulung, Cagayan province. In a report reaching Bombo Radyo, Chief Inspector Erick Gumarang, Amulung town’s chief of police, identified the victim as Juan Tabisaura Jr., 27, incumbent councilor of Amulung town and a resident of Barangay Bayabat, Amulung, Cagayan province. (Freddie G. Lazaro)