LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The provincial government and the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) met with mayors in province recently to prepare for a peaceful and orderly elections in 2013. The consultative meeting with mayors at the Pangasinan Development and Training Center, here, was attended by Chief Superintendent Franklin Jesus B. Bucayu; Gov. Amado Espino Jr.; Supt. Mariano Luis Versosa, Officer-in-Charge of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPO); Lawyer Marino Salas, Provincial Election Supervisor. The meeting also enhanced confidence building measures that the police and military organizations will work together to keep the electoral exercise clean. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

GOV. WELCOMES NEW COP CHIEF

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite — Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr. has accepted the designation of Senior Supt. Alexander D.G. Rafael as Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) officer-in-charge (OIC) even as he did not undergo the usual consultation and selection process. “Let it be as long as he is performing and professional,” Remulla said in a brief remark in a phone interview with this reporter on Rafael's designation.   Rafael, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class '88,  replaced Senior Supt. John C. Bulalacao as PPO director last Thursday. (Anthony Giron)

SMOKE-FREE

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay — The provincial government of Albay has publicly launched on November 19 one of the province’s landmark ordinance prohibiting smoking in all public places manifesting an intensified campaign to ensure healthy lifestyle and protection of environment. At least 500 anti-smoking advocates from government sectors, led by Albay provincial government officials, and private sectors thronged to the main streets of this city joining the advocacy parade and converged at the provincial park for the launching program. The anti-smoking provincial ordinance takes effect 90 days after publication in local newspaper of general circulation. The said ordinance was authored by board member and Committee on Health and Social Services chairman Herbert Borja and signed by Albay Governor Joey Salceda last May 16 this year. (PIA)

SORSOGON BOOK LAUNCHED DEC. 4

SORSOGON CITY — It has been some time since a resident of Sorsogon has published a book. On Dec. 4, Tuesday, a book, written by a Sorsogon native will be launched at the Sorsogon Provincial Museum, Sorsogon City at 5 p.m. Entitled, “We Are In The Same Boat: Recollections, Impressions, Admonitions,” the book contains essays, speeches, and feature articles many of which were published in Sorsogon Today, a local weekly newspaper. The book is authored by Dr. Higino A. Ables Jr., PhD in Education and Communication which he obtained from Michigan State University. (PIA)

6 SURVIVORS

BACOOR, Cavite — A mother and her four children, along with a teenager, were injured the other night after fire razed their houses at Kalinga Compound, Barangay Bayanan, this city, police said yesterday. The two-hour fire, which arson investigators said was sparked by a lighted candle left unattended, razed at least 10 houses. The injured were identified by police as one Maria Teresa T. Ibanez, her daughters Jessa, 12; and Jessica, 8; and sons Jerome, 7; and Joshua, 5; and one Jason Pabri, 16. The fire started around 9 p.m. and was declared out by 11 p.m. (Anthony Giron)