POLL SWITCH

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) office here has allowed a provincial board member to stand in place of his wife as candidate for vice governor of this province. Provincial Election Officer Allan Enriquez confirmed yesterday that 2nd District Board Member Romano Franco Talaga submitted the other day his candidacy (COC) with Certificate of Nomination (CONA) under the banner of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomay Binay. Talaga will be running for vice governor, vice his wife Shiela, through a switching option allowed by the Comelec until Dec. 21, 2012. (Danny Estacio)

NEW CHIEF

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Senior Superintendent Joseph T. Ramac formally assumed the other day the post of Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) director in a simple command turnover ceremony held here. Ramac, who was chief of the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division of Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), took over from Sr. Supt. Noli G. Talino, who is also the PRO3 deputy regional director for operations. Ramac’s post is now held by Supt. Jerry T. Sumbad. (Franco G. Regala)

MISS EARTH GIRLS VISIT PANGASINAN

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Miss Earth International beauties from various countries around the globe will visit this province on November 17-19 to promote their environmental advocacies along with their pre-pageant resorts wear and long gown competitions. Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. will receive the international beauty queens from group 1 bracket (the second and third groups will tour other locations) on November 17 at 2 p.m. Capitol officials said the visit is “a great opportunity to spread public awareness on the sustainable actions done by the provincial government led by Gov. Espino in mitigating climate change.” (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

BEST COOPS

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan — The most outstanding cooperatives from this province received awards during the 7th Provincial Cooperative Convention at the Victoriano J. Rodriguez Hall, here, last Thursday. Governor Baham Mitra said Taytay Municipal Multi-Purpose Cooperative won as the most outstanding cooperative of the province and received P15,000. The WPU Credit Cooperative ranked number two followed by Lapu-Lapu Poblacion MPC, Coron School of Fisheries MPC and Brooke’s Point Public Elementary School MPC. Other finalists are Busuanga Municipal Employees MPC, Brooke's Point Municipal Employees MPC, San Miguel Farmers and Fishers MPC, and RTN Consumer Cooperative Movement People who received both P2,000. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

GAWAD SAKA

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado congratulated yesterday Mr. and Mrs. Bernardino Nuñes Sr. and family for being recognized as one of the 2012 Gawad Saka Outstanding Achievers in Agriculture and Fisheries awarded by President Benigno S. Aquino III at the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija recently. Alvarado said that Nuñez family from San Rafael Bulacan received the award for the Outstanding Farmer/Fisherfolk Family category. “They are good examples for Bulakenyo families for their determination, hard work and faith in God,” said Alvarado. Bernardino Nuñez Sr. said that their family’s farm productivity started when they ventured into integrated farming and adopted new technologies. (Freddie C. Velez)