MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado, chairman of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), conveyed the other day his trust and confidence to the police and military in ensuring peace and order in the province until the last quarter of 2012. Alvarado made the statement as he noted how Bulacan was not included in the list of 15 “areas of concern” in terms of security this Yuletide season until next year’s holding of elections. For his part, Senior Superintendent Noli G. Talino, officer-in-charge of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO), vowed to sustain the peace and order campaign as well as the strict enforcement of the new Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 in Bulacan. (Freddie C. Velez)

STREET-LIGHTING

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) initiated a street- lighting project in a road with a length of one kilometer in San Manuel, Pangasinan for safety and security of passing residents and visitors in the area. NGCP North Luzon Public Affairs Officer Lilibeth P. Gaydowen said yesterday that the street-lighting project is jointly implemented by the NGCP and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of  San Manuel, Pangasinan to brighten up the path that runs from Nagsaag Extra-High Voltage (EHV) substation down to Asuncion Street in Poblacion, San Manuel town. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

RICE SECURITY

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija — As part of the Rice Sufficiency Goal of the Aquino Administration, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) here will spearhead various activities and information drive in line with the declaration of President Benigno S. Aquino III of 2013 as “National Year of Rice.” PhilRice Executive Director Eufemio Rasco, Jr. said the agency has kicked off the month-long celebration, coinciding with their 27th anniversary celebration with the theme, “Sapat na Bigas, Kaya ng Pinas.” As part of the NYR, the DA and PhilRice will undertake a nationwide information campaign and social marketing to enjoin farmers, other rice industry stakeholders, consumers and policy-makers to help attain national rice sufficiency. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

BEST R.L.E.C.C

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union — The Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee 1 (RLECC 1) was adjudged as the best RLECC for Luzon. Chief Superintendent Franklin Jesus B. Bucayu, Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) director and chair of the RLECC, expressed gratitude for the honor. “This honor shall address that our steps toward relevant issues and concerns before us as public servants, are being recognized as we make this our inspiration as we further intensify our continuing campaign to public safety even though three of our provinces were earlier tagged as election priority areas.” Bucayu said. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

TRAFFIC SUMMIT

BACOOR CITY, Cavite — Mayor Strike B. Revilla has called a traffic summit in a bid to resolve the traffic problem and improve further the road safety measures in the city. The Summit, an initiative of the local government in cooperation with SM City Bacoor, was organized for the planning and development of doable and practical mitigating solutions to the present traffic conditions in the city. Some officials and representatives from national and city government offices and business, transport and education sectors, barangay and homeowner association officers attended the initial traffic meeting at Shoemart (SM) Bacoor Cinema III last month. (Anthony Giron)