SINAIT, Ilocos Sur — Two successive strong earthquakes rocked some areas in Zambales  province last Monday night but did not cause any damage to property, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported. Phivolcs said the first quake was 5.2 magnitude in strength and happened at 7:03 p.m. with its epicenter 45 kilometers northwest of San Antonio, Zambales. It was recorded at Intensity 2 in Pasay City, Metro Manila. The second quake had strength of 5.0 magnitude and happened at 7:16 p.m. with its epicenter at 50 kilometers northwest of San Antonio, Zambales. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

FORT VISIT

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire Gazmin lauded the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army during his visit here recently. Gazmin was accorded with foyer honors and was welcomed by the Officers, Enlisted men and Civilian employees of the Command headed by Brigadier General Gregorio Pio P Catapang Jr., Commander. Catapang presented Gazmin with the accomplishments of the 7ID for the calendar year 2012 on Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan” covering the period from January to December. (Jonas Reyes)

CAVITE BET FOR CONGRESS WITHDRAWS

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite — Provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) Supervisor Juanito V. Ravanzo Jr. confirmed yesterday that Gaudencio Antonio Chong Poblete (Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats) has withdrawn his congressional candidacy in fifth district of Cavite. Poblete’s withdrawal – for “personal reasons” – left re-electionist Roy Maulanin Loyola unopposed in the district of CarSIGMA or the Carmona, Silang and General Mariano Alvarez (GMA) municipalities, said Ravanzo. He also announced that an election forum, involving candidates, poll officers and police officials in the province’s seven districts, has been set at Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas City on January 23. (Anthony Giron)

RUBBER TREES

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Investors who plan on investing their money and time in rubber tree plantations are encouraged to collaborate with the provincial office of the Department of Industry (DTI). Pablito Budoy of the Quezon DTI office has said that at present the rubber tree plantation in Gen. Nakar and Real towns could be expanded as the industry targets supplying both the local and international market as raw materials for car tires, rubber slippers and other products. Budoy said the province has a climate suited for rubber tree plantations and may serve the world market with substantial quality of latex. (Danny J. Estacio)

LIVELIHOOD AID

JALAJALA, Rizal — The local government here continues to provide livelihood opportunities to the town’s marginalized sector including the disabled sector. This came as the office of Mayor Elionor Pillas has extended assistance to the farmers, fishermen and the group of persons with disability (PWDs) by way of distributing livelihood kits and the transfer of knowledge to those who would want to be productive. Pillas said special breed of ducks were provided to some 100 members of the fisheries sector who were affected by last year’s wrath of the monsoon rains. (Nel B. Andrade)