PAGBILAO, Quezon — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has named Team Energy as one of the “10 Greenest Companies” because of its environment-friendly business practices in Barangay Grande Island, this town. The company was awarded an official seal of approval by the Philippines Environment Partnership Program (PEPP).  Team Energy in Sual, Panggasinan and Pagbilao Power Station received separate awards for the strict compliance to the country’s existing environmental laws. (Danny Estacio)

‘HIGANTES’ WAY

ANGONO, Rizal — This town known as the home of the “higantes” also exemplifies the “bayanihan spirit” as it lives up to its name this Christmas Season with its gigantic “Belen” or nativity scene. Just recently, volunteers joined what the municipal government called the “Higanteng Bayanihan” by carrying the huge bamboo structures for the Christmas decoration from the town hall to the main road. During the activity, Mayor Gerardo Calderon encouraged residents to contribute in their own “gigantic way” efforts that highlight the rich Filipino tradition of sharing with the needy and love for the elderly. (Nel B. Andrade)

L.T.O. CAMPAIGN

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 1 Director Jojo Gaudiz had announced yesterday their strict implementation of “Oplan Ligtas Biyahe” through random drug testing of bus drivers and conductors; ocular inspections of public utility vehicles; and road side inspections. The program aims to ensure the safety of passengers especially this Holiday season, said Gaudiz. The random drug tests began yesterday and will run until Jan. 2, 2013. Drivers found positive of drug use will be suspended for three months. A second offense entails the revocation of driver’s license. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

TAX TARGET

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Regional Office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is just P4 billion away from its all-time high target of P18 billion for this year after it posted a total collection of P1.3 billion last November. The total collections from January to November has reached P14 billion and BIR Regional Director Araceli Francisco is optimistic that higher revenue collections this busy month of December will help them reach their target. Francisco said it is much easier now to detect under-declaration of taxes because all taxpayers are required to submit summary list of sales to address non-issuance of receipts and invoices, which is part of the BIR tax campaign “I Love Philippines, I Pay Taxes.” (Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

TUGADE’S TIME

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga — Clark Development Corporation (CDC) has a new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in lawyer Arthur P. Tugade whose appointment has been recently confirmed by the Board of Directors of the government-run corporation. Tugade is officially the first CDC President and CEO after the resignation last March of Felipe Antonio B. Remollo. The latter was replaced by retired Chief of Staff Eduardo Oban as officer-in-charge and Chairman of the CDC Board of Directors. Tugade’s business credentials boasts of a holding company that employs more than 350 employees in 10 corporations through the Perry’s Holding Corporation which has been engaged in air and sea freight consolidation, travel and tourism, trucking, and equipment leasing since 2003. (Franco G. Regala)