ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING

CEBU CITY, Cebu (PNA) – The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in Region 7 has launched a program teaching basic entrepreneurial skills to female store owners in Cebu to improve their economic status. A joint project of Tesda and Coca-Cola, this will benefit 500 women in Cebu City, 250 in Bogo City and another 250 in Balamban starting this month. Trainees must be at least 18 years old and must own a sari-sari store operating for at least 16 months. Those interested may register at their barangay; the Tesda provincial office in Lahug, Cebu City is also accepting applicants.

REHAB PLANS

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo (PNA) – The city government is planning to rehabilitate its three public cemeteries as part of its "womb-to-tomb" project, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said, adding that P5 million has been earmarked for the purchase of a new lot as temporary cemetery while the rehabilitation of the cemeteries in Tanza, Lapaz district and Quintin Salas, Jaro are underway. A columbarium and crematorium are also part of said rehabilitation plans.

VAN DESTROYED

MAAYON, Capiz (PNA) – The service vehicle of a local official in Maayon, Capiz was gobbled up by fire recently. FO2 Marlon Garbo, information officer and arson investigator of the Roxas City Bureau of Fire Protection said a Mitsubishi L-300 van parked beside the road in the town’s public market at Poblacion Tabuc suddenly burst into flames. The totally burned van was owned by Maayon Sangguniang Bayan member Wildy Doronio of East Villaflores, Maayon. Initial probe conducted by the Maayon Philippine National Police revealed that an electrical short circuit inside the vehicle triggered the fire.

MILITARY VIGILANCE 

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte (PIA) – The military’s 8th Infantry Division in Catbalogan City said it will be on guard even as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has announced a suspension of military operations (Somo) for the holidays from December 16, 2012 and to January 3, 2013. Major General Gerardo Layug, commanding general of the 8ID said in a statement that the military across the region has been ordered to be on their guard although they will refrain from any deliberate offensive operation against the New Peoples Army (NPA) and will adhere to the rule of no indiscriminate firing of firearms. He said the military will undertake security operations and security patrols to ensure the safety of all.

RELIEF MISSION

PALO, Leyte (PIA) – An Eastern Visayas Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council team will leave December 26 for typhoon “Pablo” stricken areas in Mindanao. Office of Civil Defense Region 8 Director Rey Gozon, during said the team from Eastern Visayas will go to 13 towns in Region 11 severely affected by the typhoon, that is, New Bataan, Compostela, Pantukan, Montevista, Mawab, Maco, Laak, Mabini, Tarragona, Manay, Caraga, Baganga and Boston. The team will be composed of response personnel from the various disaster response and relief committees of national government agencies and local government units, including the private sector partners.