VIGAN City — A lawmaker vowed to continue his full support for local government units (LGUs) through the expeditious use of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for medical services for indigents and for repair of public markets. Senator Chiz Escudero announced during a visit in Ilocos Sur his latest PDAF allocation of P2 million for the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in La Union to help indigents in the region with better medical and health services. “Naglalagay po kami ng pondo sa regional hospital para po sa indigent patients. Konti lamang ito at kulang palagi, pero kahit papano nakakadagdag,” he said. “We have given each municipality P500,000 for the construction, repair, or rehabilitation of public markets.” (Freddie Lazaro)

PILGRIMAGE CITY

ANTIPOLO CITY — The city government is now strengthening key investment areas in order to achieve the goal of turning the city into a popular pilgrimage tourism destination. During the recent Investment Summit attended by various stakeholders  from the different business sectors, cooperatives, non-government organizations, national agencies and barangays, Mayor Danilo Leyble encouraged local and multinational investors to come to, invest in, and grow with the city, the newest and innovative economic haven in the eastern growth corridor.  The city aims to become a Pilgrimage City at the center of the Eastern Growth Corridor.  (Nel Andrade)

BULACAN WELCOMES LADY OF MANAOAG

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — Provincial capitol employees and religious devotees gathered at the Sto. Niño de Hiyas Chapel early yesterday morning to hail the pilgrim image of the Our Lady of the Manaoag in this city. Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the visitation of the Lady of Manaoag aims to bring Mother Mary closer to the people of Bulacan. “Ang pagrequest natin sa Mama Mary’s Movement na dalhin ang imahe ng  Birhen ng Manaoag dito sa ating lalawigan ay isang panawagan na patuloy pa rin tayong magdasal at magpasalamat sa walang humpay na paggabay ng Mahal na Birhen sa ating lalawigan,” said Alvarado. (Freddie C. Velez)

INCREASE EXPLAINED

VIGAN CITY — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) clarified that there has been no increase in transmission charges amidst reports of an increase in power rates this November.  Cynthia P. Alabanza, NGCP spokesperson, however said that Ancillary Service (AS) charges are pass-through charges that are not part of NGCP’s revenues. “Please note that the 39% increase in AS rates in Luzon as compared between September 2012 and October 2012 billing periods is due to the increase in the market clearing prices for this type of service, which is a factor beyond our control,” Alabanza said. (Freddie Lazaro)

VILLAGE WATCH

CARMONA, Cavite — Police have arrested a motorcycle-riding man after he robbed three persons, using a .9mm toy gun, in simultaneous holdups, spanning 20 minutes, on a dimly-lit road in Barangay Milagrosa of this town. A police and bantay-bayan (village watch) team pounced one Oscar Rodelas Ona, 33, in a chase in an alley in nearby Barangay Bancal after he pulled the third heist.  The team held Ona with the toy gun and a "balisong" (fan knife) in black holster and the loot--three cell phones and a black coin purse with P116 cash----still in his possession. (Anthony Giron)