ANTIPOLO CITY — This came as the city government has transformed the Sumulong Park, formerly known as Dimasalang Park, into a promenade park for visitors and tourists to enjoy the Christmas lights that decorate every tree and lamp post in the vicinity of the cathedral, here. Reuel Vidal, chief of the city’s public information office, said Mayor Danilo Leyble envisioned the park as a place where pilgrims paying homage to the centuries-old image of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage enshrined in the cathedral can have brief snacks or coffee breaks right after attending church services. Readily available are local delicacies of suman, cashew nuts and kalamay, and other native sweets. (Nel B. Andrade)

SAFER ROADS

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 1 officials and staff met recently to strengthen their resolve to work towards the achievement of “better-quality and safer roads.” Taking cue from DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, DPWH Regional Director Veniedo O. Reyes instructed district engineers to strictly abide by all public infrastructure projects’ Program of Work and Traffic Management on Road Safety policies. The conference held at the DPWH Regional Office in this city was attended by the heads of the ten DPWH District Engineering Offices, PMO-AGNO Flood Control System and Regional Division Chiefs. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

AID CELEBRATION

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City — Around 800 beneficiaries, consisting of students, teachers and parents of various school projects of Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Cordillera recently converged at Camp Servillano Aquino here for the Lakbay Aral and Handog Pasasalamat events. 2Lt. Oscar Zaldivar, NOLCOM Information Officer, said the attendees from Bulacan, Abra, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Pangasinan have benefited from the construction of classrooms, libraries, playgrounds, comfort rooms, and centralized water systems.  (Jonas Reyes)

DISASTER INFO

TAYABAS CITY, Quezon — The provincial government has launched the initial phase of its program dubbed “Delivering Access Vital Information on Disasters” (DAVID) which involves village chiefs and secretaries at the Quezon Science High School, here. A one-day orientation on Disaster Communication System (DCS) was conducted last Friday at the Capitol to emphasize the vital role of accessing information fastest and easier through electronic gadgets. The program is anchored on the belief that information can save lives in times of disaster. (Danny Estacio)

BAGAC TOURISM

BAGAC, Bataan — Economic development in this once sleepy and poor town has been drawing the attention of foreign tourists. Mayor Ramil del Rosario said inquiries have been flooding from abroad about the town’s tourism spots and facilities, particularly the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a sprawling 100-hectare coastal area resort. The foreign dignitaries, including several ambassadors, have already visited the leisure park and resort and were impressed by Las Casas’ unique facilities and antiquities. Construction magnate Gerry Acuzar, owner of Las Casas, said that the construction of the old Binondo house and church is now being fast-tracked for the amusement of Yuletide visitors. (Mar T. Supnad)