ILOILO CITY (PNA) — Several elementary school pupils joined the walk-for-a-cause initiative of the Iloilo City Anti-Smoking Task Force (ICAST) as they call on the youth to avoid smoking. “We would want a generation free from smoking,” ICAST director Iñigo D. Garingalao said. The walk also aimed at raising the people’s awareness on the ill-effects of passive smoking, which was more dreadful. It was also to show support to the Sin Tax Bill. The signing of student’s commitment on a freedom wall mounted by the ICAST for the said activity highlighted the event.

TRADE SUPPORT

ILOILO CITY (PNA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here through its central office has set aside P1.6 million for the entrepreneurship development program of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in four legislative districts of Iloilo. DTI Iloilo Director Wilhelm Malones said the fund will be utilized to purchase equipment and the technical assistance needed under the program. Counterpart support will come from the requesting members of the House of Representatives. The program covers the conduct of seminars, identification of projects up to the creation of business plan, and other technical assistance necessary to put up a business or enhance existing projects.

TOURISM SECTOR

ILOILO CITY — For Iloilo to entice tourists, it must address tourism’s basic necessities. “Unless we have accomplished the much-needed basic requirements of the tourism industry, then that’s the time we can sincerely invite tourists,” Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. said. Defensor clarified statements attributed to him that Iloilo has nothing to offer to tourists when the Iloilo Airport launched the historic international flights to Hong Kong and Singapore. The governor emphasized the need to have adequate water supply, power supply, and better infrastructures that can draw tourists to visit Iloilo’s heritage sites and beach destinations. (Tara Yap)

WINNER STUDENTS

DUMAGUETE CITY (PIA) — Ruby Busita, a BS Accountancy freshman student at the Silliman University (SU) was adjudged the provincial winner in the recently concluded 21st Philippine Statistics Quiz (PSQ) held at the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) recently. First runner up was Ramil Espere Jr., a BS Geology of NORSU coached by Normina Batucan. Colegio de Santa Catalina de Alejandria (COSCA) student Tristan Ted Abunal won as 2nd runner-up. National Statistics Office (NSO) Provincial Census Officer Ariel Fortuito said the three provincial winners will represent Negros Oriental in the regional level PSQ on November 20 in Cebu City.

ENERGY EFFICIENT

CATBALOGAN CITY (PIA) — Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs will make Christmas brighter for beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). In Jiabong town, Ailene Labrague, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, said that some 948 CFL bulbs have been delivered to her office yesterday, and waiting distribution. A letter that accompanied the package of CFL bulbs revealed that it came from Undersecretary Parisya Taradji, the Deputy Project Director of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. The letter contained the implementation guidelines. The program is the government’s way of propagating the use of energy-efficient bulbs.